This afternoon I went to the Rochester Museum and Science Center on a sketching assignment. I can't say I was terribly happy with my progress for the assignment, but I did enjoy wandering around the museum. It's been quite a few years since I've been there. The mastodon exhibit is quite something. About 15 years ago or so, mastodon bones were found in a field not far from Rochester. My neighbor is a palentologist, and the Director of Collections at the museum. He was responsible for the excavation of the skeleton. After it was completed, he came to talk to my fifth graders who were absolutely fascinated by his experience---and the bones he brought to show them!
I just had my iPhone with me, and couldn't get a good zoom in of the skeleton, but was more successful with the model Mastodon across the way.
The two men walking by the exhibit give a good sense of the size of the mastodon.
It's hard to imagine a herd of mastodons roaming about in this area, but indeed, they did.
Head over to Helena's blog for more Zoom In, Zoom Out photos!
