Steven Kazlowski shares polar bear tales on KUOW

Posted by: Julia Swan

KUOW aired a fantastic interview with Seattle wildlife photographer Steven Kazlowski on today's Sound Focus.

In it, Steven shares some interesting and captivating stories about his very real encounters with the largest land carnivore on earth--the polar bear. He has been in much closer proximity to a wild polar bear than most people ever (hopefully) will and his accounts are fascinating.

Steven also has a very unique perspective on the politics of climate change and how the polar bear has recently become the face of this global issue, which he discusses with Sound Focus's Dave Beck.

If you missed the show, never fear, for KUOW is quick to put a podcast version of the interview online. You can find the podcast of "People and Polar Bears" here.

Meet Steven in person Saturday, June 28 at the Burke Museum's opening of The Last Polar Bear: Facing the Truth of a Warming World. Steven will be giving guided tours of the exhibit at 10:30 am and 12:30 pm.

- Julia

A Whale of a Tale!

We have a great new video podcast out- check it out. In it, Burke Curator of Mammals, Jim Kenagy, narrates the sinking of a deceased fin whale and subsequent underwater exploration to the same site.

For more about the story, click here.

Dr. David Duggins, a Friday Harbor Labs research scientist, winching up the fin whale cranium.
Photo by Robert C. Williams

Everyone loves a good haiku

Posted by: Julia Swan

A few weeks ago, I wrote about the Hoh River, one of the nation’s last untouched rivers. This week I’m writing to announce that Fast Moving Water: The Hoh River Story is now on view at the Burke. I was really impressed by Keith Lazelle’s photographs and was easily able to find a moment of zen in a busy work day by sitting in the exhibit space and listening to the accompanying nature sounds by Emmy-winning recordist Gordon Hempton. I recommend you come check it out—it’s a small, but extremely calming and pleasant photo show.

Keith Lazelle was inspired to become a photographer through a book of photographic translations of Japanese haiku poetry. In the spirit of haiku-loving, I propose a Burke Blog Haiku Contest! Feel free to leave a comment with your own favorite haiku—if you need a prompt, try writing about your favorite outdoor location. I’ll start it off with a brief ode to the Hoh River:

Deep in the mountains
A small river flows—untouched
Makes its way to sea

Ok—your turn!

- Julia

P.S. The talented Karyn Gregory has once again recorded a great podcast. This time it's with Keith Lazelle, talking about his experiences in the Olympics. Click here to listen.

New podcast with Plateau curator

Posted by: Rebecca Durkin



You'd never guess how high energy a person Burke Blog staffer Karyn Gregory really is based on her perfectly soothing radio voice on the Burke Museum Podcasts!

Check out her latest interview with This Place Called Home guest curator Miles R. Miller (Yakama/Nez Perce). For the museum-lovers out there, Miller talks about his past industry experiences and what you can next expect from him in this field.

(Want more? Follow the interview link to learn how to subscribe to Burke Museum Podcasts.)

Enjoy!
Rebecca

Photo by Storms PhotoGraphic.

Dr. Leakey Podcast is Up!

Posted by: Rebecca Durkin

If you weren’t one of the 555 people who came last week to see Dr. Richard Leakey’s UW talk, Climate Change and the Future of Life on Earth, you’ll want to check out our latest podcast.

The podcast picks up at the end of Leakey’s two-hour presentation when he opens the discussion up to the audience to take questions. It’s a candid peak into the brain of one of the world’s most influential and controversial conservationists.

It’s always exciting when a big name comes into town, and Leakey’s visit did not go unnoticed. Check out the Seattle PI interview and the Seattle Times article.

Were you at the talk? Leave a comment and let us know what you thought.

- Rebecca

New Podcast: Burke 101

Posted by: Rebecca Durkin

Take a listen to our latest podcast, "Burke 101: When Students Become Teachers." You can play it on your computer from the Burke Museum Podcasts Web page or subscribe to the podcast by adding the following URL to your podcasting software's subscriptions manager:
http://www.washington.edu/burkemuseum/podcast/burke.xml.

This new podcast is a short info piece on a great new program at the Burke that trains UW college students to serve as interpreters for museum visitors on the weekends. Hear from the students, professors, and visitors who make this program come to life.

KUOW Interview Podcast

Posted by: Rebecca Durkin

If you didn't catch In the Spirit of the Ancestors curators Robin Wright and Bill Holm on KUOW's "The Beat" this afternoon, be sure to listen to the podcast. Just copy the following URL to your podcasting software of choice: http://www.kuow.org/podcasts/beat/beat.asp.

- Rebecca

Podcasts A-Plenty!

Posted by: May Evans

While you patiently await the next episodes of the all new Burke Museum Podcasts, I’d like to offer a personal selection of other excellent podcasts which might pique your interest:

Saving Antiques for Everyone is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping every single person do their part towards saving cultural heritage. Their podcasts feature interviews with cultural heritage experts.

Also concerned with what every man and woman can do is the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum with their Voices on Genocide Prevention podcast. This is a weekly series dedicated to keeping you aware of important human rights issues across the world.

Always remember to look up with the Adler Planetarium’s Adler Night and Day podcasts. This bi-weekly series all about observable solar and celestial activities will help you recapture your wonder of the heavens.

And while the Adler Planetarium will tell you about what you can see, the Museum of Science in Boston will tell you about things you can’t! Their Current Science and Technology podcast features information about the most up-to-date scientific and technological advances, including nanotechnology.

Coming from the Midwest originally, I fell in love with the Kansas State Historical Society’s Cool Things podcast. Set up to correspond with their online exhibit, this podcast closely examines objects from the Society’s collection. I never found a pair of overalls to be so enthralling!

Another object-by-object take on podcasting is the National Museum of the American Indian podcast. This series looks at Native objects from both a historic and artistic point of view, providing you with an understanding of both their beauty and significance.

The Delta Blues Museum in Clarksville, Mississsippi is like our local EMP – dedicated to music. The Uncensored History of the Blues podcast discusses trends in the sounds and lyrics of Blues music and is just a beautiful thing to hear.

And while we’re talking about things closer to home, let’s not forget the Henry Art Gallery’s Artcasts, featuring artist conversations on current and past exhibitions and more; or KEXP, the Seattle-based non-profit radio station that offers multiple podcasts including Sonarchy Radio, featuring Northwest artists of the experimental sort.

This should keep your ears busy until the next installment of Burke Museum Podcasts – "Burke 101"

- May

Burke Museum Podcasts are here!

Posted by: Rebecca Durkin

INTRODUCING...



From the minds that brought you Burke Blog comes the all new Burke Museum Podcasts – a podcast series featuring episodes that put you behind-the-scenes at the Burke Museum. We’re ambitiously kicking things off with two episodes:

Real-Life Adventures of a History Detective with Wes Cowan
Did you miss the January talk with Wes Cowan, star of the PBS hit History Detectives and frequent guest appraiser on Antiques Roadshow? Listen in as the Kentuckian discusses his antiquing adventures, including his encounter with the legacy of Bonnie & Clyde.

Unburied Treasures: Artifact ID Day
Hear what museum visitors and Burke experts had to share at this year’s Artifact ID Day event. Listen in on experts as they decipher unidentified artifacts, hear audience reactions, and learn about what makes this day such a hit in our community.

A big thanks to Karyn Gregory and May Evans for their hard work in putting these episodes together, and to musician Chris Pesce for providing the terrific jingle. Stay tuned for the next episode where we’ll go behind-the-scenes with UW students in an all new Burke and UW collaboration: Burke 101.

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Guest expert Wes Cowan (bottom right) investigates a model ship on Artifact ID Day. Listen to Burke Museum Podcasts to learn all about the antique.




Burke Director Dr. Julie Stein and Burke Fossil Preparator Bruce Crowley investigate a geological specimen at Artifact ID Day.

- Rebecca