Oh Yeah, This Still Exists...

Welp, I know I've been neglecting you guys, starving you of posts and the crude humour, not-so scientific insights, and somewhat sensible ramblings, but I hope that this one makes up for it.

Recently, blogwriters Brenden Hall (who did the last posts on Burpee) and Ray Sabb (the one who writes about movies) stayed here in Illinois for a few days (well, Brenden stayed for 11), of which many adventures were taken. Here is the adventure most relevant to this blog: the Burpee Museum, again.

*heavenly music plays*

Those who know me from both online and in real life know that I praise this museum a lot. And I think they stepped that level of praise up more with their new exhibit: Homer's Odyssey.

Wait, wrong Odyssey.

Nope, that's not it either.

That's better.

Homer, the juvenile Triceratops, was found in 2005, where three years of rigorous work went into unearthing more remains and preparing those remains. Last year, he went through even more cycles of preparation before being shipped to Canada for mounting. Finally, his brand new exhibit officially (I say officially as Homer's skull as been on display for a while, just not as an actual exhibit) opened on June 29, and luckily, we got to see it the next day.

Homer in the front, Pachycephalosaurus in the back. Also that humanoid thing is Brenden.

It might be because it's taken long (well lengthwise, not "museum time"-wise), the fact that I love Homer, the fact he's our Rockford Triceratops, etc, etc, but this is honestly probably my favourite exhibit. From the amount of specimens held within to the Mike Skrepnick paintings and finally seeing Homer with a body, it's astonishing. There's not much more words I can use to describe it, so I'll let the pictures (mostly) do the talking.

Phylogeny wall 1 (Chasmosaurus at right)

Phylogeny wall 2 (Zuniceratops bottom)

Phlyogeny wall 3

The adult skull at far right was Homer's replacement during his time in Canada. Much happier to see it in proper use next to Homer's skull

That Pachycephalosaurus has no idea the paintings aren't real, unless there's a Night at the Museum scenario going on.

"Ernie" the Stangerochampsa, the most adorable crocodilian ever.

Have you ever wondered what a Triceratops butt looked like? Three pictures just satisfied you.

And then finally, some more random Burpee shots.

There's a Ray. 

That's it now. Go home. I might post more. Go.