We went to an exhibit titled “Objects of Wonder: From the Collections of the National Museum of Natural History,” an interesting display of items that examines how scientists use the Smithsonian collections to enlighten and illuminate our understanding of nature and human culture. I took a few pictures, but most of it was more appropriate for viewing and reading about than photographing.

This lion was shot by former President Theodore Roosevelt in 1909 while on an East African trip collecting specimens on behalf the Smithsonian. Although on a scientific expedition, Roosevelt “really wanted to bag a big lion,” so took aim and shot as it charged straight at him, according to a Washington Post article http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/speaking-of-science/wp/2016/11/02/teddy-roosevelt-shot-this-lion-107-years-ago-the-world-is-about-to-see-it-again/?utm_term=.75aa22706801 from last year. The lion has been out of public view for two decades but now figures prominently in this newest exhibit.

'Objects of Wonder': How was this formed? posted earlier: