CHICO — Think you know animals? A visit to the dual exhibits at the Gateway Science Museum might provide you with some surprises.
“Bombus! The Natural History of Bumble Bees” takes a close look at bumblebees and their critically important role as pollinators in our ecosystem, while “The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards” displays images of wild animals in wacky poses certain to make a viewer laugh.
Both exhibits are in progress at the museum at 625 The Esplanade, adjacent to the Bidwell Mansion. The bumblebee exhibit runs until next summer, while the photography will be on display through mid-January 2024.
California is home to approximately 1,600 species of native bees, with bumblebees — or bombus, their genus name — making up 25 of those species.
“Each one has a different purpose in the ecosystem,” explained Adrienne McGraw, director of the Gateway museum. “This exhibit helps people understand these charismatic, cool creatures.”
McGraw acknowledged some people might feel some trepidation about coming to the exhibit, fearing interactions with (and possible stings from) bumblebees. However, she said people should be assured there are no live bumblebees in the exhibit.
John Whittlesey, a photographer and owner of a Sierra Nevada foothills property that provides a home for many bees, suggested the exhibit along with Jennifer Jewell. The two provided much documentation and many images of the bumblebees on display — with some of the documentation coming by way of Whittlesey’s journal of the bumblebees’ activity on his property. There is also an audio-visual presentation available to visitors.
“They (Whittlesey and Jewell) are very articulate and passionate about bumblebees,” McGraw said. “We hope this exhibit is a way to enjoy bumblebees, which are very charismatic and sweet.”
A few steps away from that exhibit is a display of 30 humorous photos of animals in a variety of states of mind — all of them expressive or surprised. McGraw said the images come by way of Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards, an international organization that recognizes wildlife photographers whose cameras capture animals in funny ways.
“The group’s mission is to promote conservation,” she said, “and to show the circumstances that threaten ecosystems and animals in a gentle and fun way — not the ‘doom and gloom’ people sometimes see.
“This is a more positive way to think about wildlife and landscapes — a new way to think about nature.”
The organization licenses its photos for display. Gateway has 30 of them on display, with prints on the walls as well as a rotating display in a slideshow-type format.
McGraw said the organization will announce this year’s winners this month and in November.
The museum is open to the public from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. Admission is $7 for adults, $5 for children and students, and free for Chico State students and museum members.