Recently Asked
Learn what the community is asking about this season, with answers by Museum experts.
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- Recently Asked
“i was wondering if you can tell me what kind of mushroom this is and if it's harmful in anyway ”
Roman, santa barbara - October 25, 2026
“Hello.
Lately, I have been trying to learn the names and pronounciations of certain native plants in Chumash/Barbareño, though I cannot find any clear resources online. I...”
David, Santa Barbara - October 24, 2026
“I'm a Ventura resident and found this object (images attached) on the beach the other day. I assume it's some kind of algae, or possibly an emptied egg case, that's been bleached out. The "...”
Brad, Ventura, CA - September 30, 2026
“Hello, I recently visited Santa Cruz Island and took a photo of what I believe to be Pantala hymenaea. I posted on iNaturalist, first with a P. falvescens ID since that's the only speci...”
Patricia Simpson, San Diego, CA - September 6, 2026
“I have noticed over the last 10 days or so a much larger volume of dragonflies in my yard, neighbors yard, and today I saw another "swarm" in Girsch Park. While its not uncommon to see a dragonf...”
Alicia, Santa Barbara - August 22, 2026
“I saw what looked like a catfish on Leadbetter Beach on 6/20/26. Seagulls had eaten most of the flesh, but the head was still intact. I've read that ocean catfish exist, but have not heard...”
David Bothman, Santa Barbara - July 12, 2026
“I was searching for images of traditional oak gall dolls and was referred to your site. However, I couldn't navigate to your collection of dolls.
We will be making the dolls on June...”
Mary, Morgan Hill California - June 2, 2026
“I found these two rocks while I was digging in my backyard. I live in the Rancho Goleta mobile home park.
one looks very distinctly like an arrowhead and the other one... maybe, it's...”
Barb, Goleta - May 25, 2026
“Hello!
Can you tell what this is that is sitting on the blue-eyed grass?
Thanks!”
Kevin, Santa Barbara - April 6, 2026
“Hello-
My granddaughter and I observed some creatures at minus tide on New year’s day 2026 that I’ve never seen before.The photo I’m providing does not adequately...”
Mujiba, Santa Barbara - January 29, 2026
