Beautiful birds, amusing animals, fanciful fishes and natural curiosities await you in “The Art of Science, Illustrations of the Natural World: 1700-1900″ at the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island.  This unique collection of antique etchings and lithographs, provided by Seaside Art Gallery, will be on display at the Aquarium July through September 2009.  Featured are works by Americans foremost bird illustrator John James Audubon who work is still a standard against which bird artist are measured.  These are hand colored stone lithographs, based on his seminal work Birds of America. The show includes art by other American and European artist. The art is available for purchase directly through Seaside Art Gallery, 252-441-5418.

Step back in time and see the natural world through the eyes of John James Audubon and artist of the period.

The period 1750-1900 was marked by great leaps in knowledge and stunning technological advances.  It encompassed the Enlightenment, the Industrial Revolution, and he climax of European imperialism.  I t was the age of Franklin and Priestly, Jenner and Pasteur, Linnaeus and Darwin, Watt and Edison, Tesla and the Curies.

The seeds of rational inquiry planted during the Renaissance blossomed into modern science, medicine and technology.  Geology, genetics, linguistics, physics, psychology, and other disciplines to shape.  Navigation, cartography, agriculture, and forestry became more science than art.  A brief account of invention in this 150-year span-Which gave the world railroads, the steamboat, the automobile, the chronometer, the telegraph, the telephone, the electric generator, petroleum distillation, for example would fill and encyclopedia, another legacy of the period.

The new branches of learning were inundated with information about the natural world from all parts of the world.  Global travel and trade brought to light countless plants, animals, landforms, water, and phenomena to be studied.

At length the pursuit of knowledge and the appreciation of nature came to be widely regarded as worthy in themselves.  Scholars turned to direct observation of plants and animals for natural history and many began to accumulate large collections of exotic specimens.  Artists would document them by creating watercolors, drawings, etchings and lithographs.  The finer detail of the printing process allowed artists to depict minute aspects of the subject.  many publications continue to use illustrator’ plates.  Illustrations produced in the 18th and 19th century are regarded as both appealing and scientifically valid.  Today scientific illustrators bridge art and science, by picking out detail and omitting the irrelevant, to make the image convey the essential attributes of the subject.

Make tracks to the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores and help crack the case of the critter culprit in a Family Night “whodunit,” on Thursday, July 2. The evening’s theme is “CSI: Critter Signs Investigation.” Special evening hours for sleuthing are 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.; ticket sales end at 8 p.m.

Pick up your casebook at the Information Desk when you arrive, and follow the trail of scat, tracks and telltale animal indicators  to solve an Aquarium mystery. Other intriguing activities scheduled:

• Detect “whooooo” that owl ate - dissect a barred owl pellet.
• Enjoy the antics of river otters as they investigate their habitat for hidden treats.
• Rejoice with “Ollie the Otter” as discovers his identity
• Have a hoot of a time getting clued in on owls in a live bird program, courtesy the Outer Banks Wildlife Shelter.

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When it comes to fun at the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores, Sandy Feat artists think big. Really big. The famed sand sculptors molded 16 tons of beach sand into a scene of river otters exploring a sand castle. The “otterly” amazing masterpiece near the Aquarium entrance is visible for the next few weeks.

The outdoor sculpture is in place for Family Night this Thursday, July 2. The Aquarium stays open until 9 p.m. on July 2 for activities under the theme, “CSI: Critter Signs Investigation.” The Family Night good times begin at 5 p.m.; ticket sales end at 8 p.m. Activities are free with admission or membership.

The Aquarium is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Independence Day — Saturday, July 4, and throughout the holiday weekend.

Spend summer on the water with the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher. The Aquarium offers a canoeing program that takes participants on a three-hour exploration of the Zeke’s Island Estuarine Research Reserve, considered to be one of the most unusual areas of the North Carolina coasts. The trip includes an almost one mile paddle across the basin to Zeke’s Island. Common animals seen while touring the salt marsh include pelicans, seagulls, egrets, herons, ibis, sea turtles, and dolphins.

After arriving on the island, participants search for blue crabs, small fish, and invertebrates using crab rigs and dip nets, and also learn how to use cast and seine nets to catch fish. Throughout the journey, information on the history and maritime culture of this breathtaking area is described by the instructors.

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A titan of a turtle is snapping up the spotlight at the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores. Crunch, a 165-pound alligator snapping turtle, is on loan to the Aquarium through the end of July. The special exhibit of the four-foot-long reptile is free with Aquarium admission or membership.

Crunch represents the largest freshwater turtle species in North America. His owner, Blackwater Turtle Refuge, estimates the giant could be 150 years old. Crunch is approximately 10 times the size of the common snapping turtles in the Aquarium’s Cypress Swamp. (more…)

As she dons her hat and gloves, she sometimes appears to be getting ready to go on safari, but for Kathy Mitchell, horticulturist at the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island, it’s just another day of turning dirt and seeds into something green and beautiful.

Mitchell was recently chosen as one of many to receive the 2008 Pelican Award from the North Carolina Coastal Federation.  Receiving the Northeast regional award for conservation and restoration, Mitchell “has dedicated herself to helping restore the natural hydrology of the coast through the use of native plants and rain gardens.  Kathy has done more than anyone else to bring about the cumulative success of rain gardens to the Northeast region.  She has served as a trusted partner to the Coastal Federation in the design and installation of rain gardens throughout Manteo, including the gardens at the federations’ new office,” as was stated in the NC Coastal Federations 2009 State of the Coast Report.

Mitchell speaks to local groups about using native plants in rain gardens, wildlife habitats, and other types of home and public landscaping.  She has been the “Green Thumb” at the Aquarium for nine years and holds and annual native plant sale every October.

This was the 2nd time Mitchell has been recognized for the Pelican Award, also receiving it in 2006 for her contribution to the Manteo Middle School rain garden project.

Come on in and cool off! The North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores is open normal daily operating hours, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., on Saturday, July 4, Independence Day, as well as the remainder of the holiday weekend.

The Aquarium stays open until 9 p.m. on Thursday, July 2, for the second Family Night of the summer. Activities for all ages begin at 5 p.m. and center on the theme, “CSI: Critter Signs Investigation.” Ticket sales end at 8 p.m. on July 2.

Bruce Shwedick the Reptile Wrangler returns to the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island for Reptile Week August 11-14 along with his collection of amazing reptiles for 3 shows daily.  On August 11, 12, 14, The Reptile Wrangler presents shows at 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and at 3:30 p.m.   Then on August 13th shows will be presented at 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. for Family Fun Night.

Bruce Shewdick has been telling the story of his amazing reptiles for over 30 years.  See Myron the Tortoise, Carlos the Iguana, jade the Anaconda, Alexander the Great, a Snapping Turtle and Banana Boy the 16 foot Burmese Python.  After each show children and adults can take their picture with the Reptile Wrangler and his amazing animals.

Call 252-473-3494 to find out more about Bruce Shwedick, the Reptile Wrangler and his astonishing and entertaining reptiles.  Visit www.ncaquariums.com to find more information about this theme week and other programs offered at the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island.

June is National Zoo and Aquarium month. Come celebrate at the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher! This month long recognition focuses on helping people learn how to preserve America’s wildlife. Summer is an excellent time to visit your local zoo or aquarium, as well as their websites and blogs.

What’s new at the Aquarium at Fort Fisher? Luna, a rare albino alligator has a new home at the Aquarium. She is growing daily, and loves her new found fame. Also new on display are Amazon milk frogs, which are a large species of arboreal frog that was originally discovered in Brazil, and is mainly found in South America. Check them out in the exotic Dart Frog exhibit.

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Think your teens are too old for summer camp? Think again! The NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher’s Coastal Crusaders summer camp on June 29-July 3, is designed especially for young adults, ages 13-14. Additional dates for Coastal Crusaders are also available.

Throughout the week, teen campers hit the beach, go crabbing in the salt marsh, tour behind the scenes of the Aquarium, canoe at Holly Shelter, conduct underwater archaeology at Fort Fisher Historical Site, visit the Sea Turtle Hospital in Topsail Beach, and try out surfing.

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