Today’s guest blogger is Mike Marvins, a fourth generation portrait photographer. His photographs, featuring the wilderness of Big Bend National Park in Texas, are currently on display on the mezzanine of HMNS. In this post, Mike discusses his experiences at Big Bend National Park.
Texas’ Big Bend region has been a part of my life for over 40 years. As a new Scoutmaster, just off a four year stint as an officer in the Army, I was determined that my troop in Houston get a taste of high adventure backpacking. That first trip was a real learning experience for the boys and me. With July temperatures at over one hundred degrees on the Rio Grande we began the week with a downpour the first night. A real desert storm – and we had no tents. Even with all the hardships we were all entranced with the vastness and grandeur of Big Bend. That was the first of many, many trips – both with the Scouts and then with camping buddies and family.
Being a fourth generation portrait photographer, the two months leading up to Christmas were filled with eighteen hour workdays. Then on December 26 each year, I would go off to Big Bend for some mind-clearing solitude. That’s the one thing most people have told me they treasure most about the area.
My photography in Big Bend started with snapshots of the people who were sharing the experience with us. Then, came many years of pictures of things that just caught my attention. These were just personal mementos, tucked away in albums. They were not made with any publication, articles or exhibits in mind. That let me be creative and make pictures that truly came from the heart. They reflect both the incredible natural history of Big Bend and its human history as well.
Several years ago, friends and clients urged me to share my pictures with “the world.” That resulted in the book “Texas’ Big Bend; A Photographic Adventure From the Pecos To The Rio Grande,” published by Bright Sky Press in 2009. It’s the first book that encompasses the (850,000 acre) Big Bend National Park, Big Bend Ranch State Park, historic towns and ranches. The exhibit, now on display at the Houston Museum of Natural Science, is based on photographs from the book and prints that have been acquired by major art museums.
School is out for summer but it’s not too late to get your kids out of the house and into the museum! Here is a chance for them to learn and have fun, by attending one of our many summer camps. Kids can choose their favorite topics and spend a whole week learning about science and history. These camps still have a few spots open for the weeks of July 5 and July 12.
A Camper holds up an impression of her teeth that she made in Crime Scene Investigators
Check out Crime Scene Investigators, where kids can learn how to lift and develop fingerprints, sample soils, cast footprints and teeth, and make rope impressions. Use special software to create a face to match the description of witnesses. Assemble your own crime kit and use your skills to collect clues at a crime scene in the museum.
In Junior Science Magic, campers discover how physics and chemistry make magic. They experiment with optical illusions and things that glow in the dark. They master cool chemistry tricks; concoct slimy mixtures and potions that change colors. They will also learn how magicians read minds and will be able to fool their friends with coin and card tricks.
DJ Learns about static electricity
Anaya punctures an inflated balloon with a skewer
Alone, marooned, scared, cold and hungry? Could your kid survive? You betcha! Campers learn to distill drinking water and make it into a refreshing drink that would quench any thirst. They will participate in an indoor campfire cookout, learn to navigate by the stars, tell time from the sun, and build their own compass. They’ll make their own sunscreen and find out what kind of bugs make good snacks.
School is out for summer but it’s not too late to get your kids out of the house and into the museum! Here is a chance for them to learn and have fun, by attending one of our many summer camps. Kids can choose their favorite topics and spend a whole week learning about science and history.
Campers simulate tornadoes in “Diaster Science”
HMNS offers classes for 5-12 yr olds at our main branch in Hermann Park as well as our subsidiary location in Sugar Land. Join the safari and learn about some of the strangest creatures on earth in our “Amazing Animal” class, or travel back in time and discuss all the different species of dinosaurs in “T. Rex Roars!”
A Camper builds an Ornothopter in “Da Vinci Science”
Study the ways of The Force as you experience real physics and science from Star Wars and explore the real planets, animals and robots and how they compare to the fictional movies. Or learn how to lift fingerprints, make casts of footprints and teeth and assemble your own crime kits in our “Crime Scene Investigators Class.”
Check out the full list of camp classes online here.
Learn the science behind magic in “Super Science Magic”
How much do you know about magic? It’s time to see through the illusion. Don’t miss Magic! opening Friday, Feb. 26, 2010 at HMNS. In the days leading up to the opening, and throughout the run of the exhibit, check back here for exclusive videos and descriptions of the unique items on display.
The Principles of Magic have been discussed endlessly for centuries. Some magicians say there only five, others claim there are twenty two. Take a look at the eight principles that follow – and watch them in action in the video – and see if you can remember a single performance of magic that hasn’t used at least one of them.
APPEARANCE
DUPLICATION
VANISH
SUSPENSION
LEVITATION
PENETRATION
RESTORATION
TRANSFORMATION
TRANSPOSITION
Can’t see the video? Watch it here. And – don’t miss Magic!, opening February 26, 2010.
Check out these beautiful photos, courtesy of @hortzac. http://ow.ly/2x0o6. See more of Zac's photos in the Butterfly Center - posted on Aug 30, 2010 04:59 pm
RT @hortzac I will be talking about the life of Lois, her future, and unveiling the Lois documentary @hmns http://ow.ly/2wYGm - posted on Aug 30, 2010 03:59 pm
Did you see our new #silkroad exhibition on opening weekend? Let us know what you thought! - posted on Aug 30, 2010 12:55 pm
Give a local butterfly a home! Our Plant Sale is 10/2 - great way to get started with butterfly gardening at home: http://ow.ly/2wNE3 - posted on Aug 30, 2010 10:57 am
Stunning variety of far-flung influences on artifacts in the #silkroad exhibition is mindboggling. See for yourself: http://ow.ly/2rxn0 - posted on Aug 29, 2010 07:20 pm
Texas’ Big Bend region has been a part of my life for over 40 years. As a new Scoutmaster, just off a four year stint as an officer in the Army, I was determined that my troop in Houston get a taste of high adventure backpacking. That first trip was a real learning experience for the boys and me. With July temperatures at over one hundred degrees on the Rio Grande we began the week with a downpour the first night. A real desert storm – and we had no tents. Even with all the hardships we were all entranced with the vastness and grandeur of Big Bend. That was the first of many, many trips – both with the Scouts and then with camping buddies and family.
My photography in Big Bend started with snapshots of the people who were sharing the experience with us. Then, came many years of pictures of things that just caught my attention. These were just personal mementos, tucked away in albums. They were not made with any publication, articles or exhibits in mind. That let me be creative and make pictures that truly came from the heart. They reflect both the incredible natural history of Big Bend and its human history as well.
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