Penguin talk: Chat with the San Francisco Zoo penguin keeper
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- A crowd gathers to watch a new adolescent Magellanic penguin in 2009. AP PHOTO
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- A trio of new adolescent Magellanic penguins waddle through the San Francisco Zoo in 2009. AP PHOTO
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- Four new adolescent Magellanic penguins travel through the zoo. AP PHOTO
Ever want to talk to a penguin keeper? Well, this sounds fun.
Anthony Brown, primary penguin keeper for the Magellanic Penguin colony at the San Francisco Zoo, is going to be available for a live chat Thursday, March 15, on Twitter.
Brown began his zoo career as a volunteer when he was 12 years old. Now, 18 years later, he spends a lot of time with his waddling charges.
So, if you ever wondered how penguins stay warm, why they live in Antarctica and how many species of penguins there are, you might find your answers by chatting with Brown.
The 30-minute chat begins at 1 p.m. CST.
To participate, log into Twitter, ask a question of @AnthonyBrown and @Zoos_Aquariums and use the hashtag #AZAChat at the end of your question.
– Linda Lynn
Nature center plans Labor Day weekend fun
Looking for one more weekend of lake fun with the kids before summer is officially over? Then head down to the Discovery Cove Nature Center at Lake Thunderbird State Park. They have packed the long holiday weekend full of activities. Classes are:
Saturday, Sept. 4
9:00 a.m. - Bird Walk. Call 321-4633 or e-mail crowssecret@sbcglobal.net for details or to sign up.
11:00 a.m. -Birds of Lake Thunderbird. Enjoy a slide presentation of birds that live around the lake.
1:00 p.m. - Animal Clay Sculpture. Sculpt an animal out of clay. Ages 4 and older. $1.00 fee. Call or e-mail for a reservation.
2:30 p.m. -Oklahoma Reptiles: Snakes and Lizards. Learn about these reptile groups and meet the nature center’s “resident representatives.” All ages.
3:30 p.m. - Oklahoma Turtles. Meet seven kinds of turtles and watch some of them being fed.
Sunday, Sept. 5
1:00 p.m. - Aquatic Insects. Learn all about what these insects eat, how they breathe, and other facts, at this special presentation.
2:00 p.m. - Plaster Casts. Make plaster of Paris casts of animal footprints. Ages 2 and older. Fee is 50 cents. Casts require one hour to set. (This is my son’s personal favorite!)
3:00 p.m. - Aquatic Insects. Repeat of 1:00 p.m. program.
Monday, Sept. 6 (aka Bug Day)
10:00 a.m. - What did that? Kids can become nature detectives and look for clues that insects and small animals leave behind. Ages 5 and older.
11:00 a.m. - Oklahoma Insects. Learn about insects and see many of the kinds found in our state. Ages 4 and older.
1:00 p.m. - Bug Bookmarks. Decorate a one-of-a-kind bookmark. Fee is 50 cents. Ages 3 and older.
2:00 p.m. - Aquatic Insects. See above for description.
3:30 p.m. - How many legs? Get to Know the Arthropods. Learn about other “bugs” besides insects. Ages 4 and older.
Discovery Cove Nature Center is located off State Highway 9, almost one mile down Clear Bay Avenue, almost to the boat ramp, across from Turkey Pass Campground For more information, call 321-4633 or e-mail crowssecret@sbcglobal.net.
-Erica Smith
esmith@opubco.com
