Prehistoric OC

IMGP0781-0.JPGI spent several hours yesterday at Prehistoric OC, a science festival organized by The Cooper Center and held at Ralph B. Clark Regional Park in Buena Park. Over 25 different information booths and attractions were available for visitors, as well as lectures throughout the day.

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IMGP0784-0.JPGThere is also a small museum at the park that focuses on fossils from Orange County, many of which we're found in the park itself. Among the specimens on display are a large, essentially complete baleen whale. Below is part of the ventral side of the cranium and the lower jaw:

IMGP0797.JPGOne of the more unusual specimens is a skull of Paleoparadoxia, a member of the enigmatic marine mammal order Desmostylia:

IMGP0808.JPGThere were also plenty of land mammals, including this partial bison skeleton:

IMGP0820.JPGThanks to The Cooper Center for putting on such a fun and educational event!