We spent most of the day in the California Academy of Sciences. We had a behind the scenes tour which felt extra special because we were the only ones on the tour! What make the CAS really special is that it is a working Laboratory filled with scientists doing research in all areas of science. Our behind the scenes tour allowed us to meet several of them. Bummer video wasn't allowed on the tour - they had super interesting stories about their lives and the research they were doing.
Our Tour Guide.
Living Roof.
The roof ecosystem is the largest collection of native wildflowers in San Francisco. For more information on the roof, click this link.
Whale jaw bones curing outside on the roof.
Whale baleen drying in the sun.
In the ichthyology room.
Great White shark jaws on the left and a vertebrae in the front.
Anthropology room with perfect replicas of early Hominid skulls
Replica of Lucy!
Lucy selfie.
Anthropologist from Ethiopia.
Resident Anthropologist.
Mineralogy Room
Perfect cubic cleavage on Pyrite specimen.
Graduate students doing research.
This student was doing research on sea slug reproductive organs. The organs were dissected out of preserved specimens and photographed with cutting edge 3D cameras for study. This student is a evolutionary biologist who will be heading for University of Hawaii for a PhD in the Fall.
This student was using micro-MRIs to study the ear canal of fossilized clawed frogs. This information will be used to better understand evolutionary relationships between species of frogs and accurately place this specimen on the "tree of life", WOW!
Then we enjoyed the rest of the exhibits on our own.
Earthquake exhibit
Stinky flowers and giant birds.
Rainforest Critters.
Macaw selfie - OK not a selfie exactly...
View of the outside of the Rainforest enclosure. Coral reef to the left.
Wonderful diversity on the reef
Sting ray.
Very active Diamondback Rattle snake.
Black Widow Spider.
Giant pendulum that moves based on the earth's rotation.
Penguin talk.
Anthropology exhibit.
Afternoon at the Japanese Tea Room and Gardens. Very relaxing.
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