Recently Asked
Learn what the community is asking about this season, with answers by Museum experts.
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- Recently Asked
“During the recent wind storm, this nest fell out of a tree in our backyard. It fell out of either an Ash or a California Pepper Tree that grow side by side. The nest is quite large. Can we&...”
Cayce, Goleta - March 1, 2023
“Hello!
What type of bee is this? And are those two yellow balls pollen? This was taken at SBMNH on Sunday.
Thanks!”
Kevin, UCSB - February 27, 2023
“I found this stone bowl shortly after the recent storms near Haskells Beach area. The bowl was among several large rocks that are not normally seen.
The bowl perfectly balanc...”
Emma, Montecito - February 1, 2023
“Hello!
Do you know what type of fungus this is? They have a very unique and pretty purple shade, and pop-up around this time of year (presumably due to the weather/rain?). I took this pho...”
Kevin, UCSB - December 29, 2022
“These stinkhorn mushrooms are sprouting up recently after a rain all over our trails in suburban Dallas area. They are beautiful. Extremely fragile. And pollinated by ants, flies and even millip...”
Richard, Dallas area - December 14, 2022
“Hi- I live in Carp and always collect sea glass - the other day I came upon an object that has me curious if it is an old piece of pottery. It seems like old clay -- very smooth on one side with...”
Amy, Carpinteria - December 5, 2022
“Hi there,
I recently found 2 shells near the capitola beach. I assumed that they were the same species, but I don't know which. I also don't know how old they are, if they are fossilized,...”
Ani, Fremont, Ca - December 3, 2022
“Please see the attached photo. It's in our garden; probably not for long. Do you know what it is? Thanks! ”
Gari, Montecito - November 17, 2022
“I found an object on Ledbetter Beach that has me stumped. Because it was on the beach I first assumed that is was of marine origin, but it looks more like a mammal horn. I hope that the attached...”
David, Santa Barbara - November 16, 2022
“Hello there,
This afternoon, I noticed this large spider outside on the bench on my porch.
I live in Lompoc, and I have seen quite a few different species of spiders in my ga...”
Sara, Northern Lompoc - November 11, 2022
