Call Wednesday and Pugsley as “Morticia,” the Giant Corpse Flower officially started to bloom this week. This is an extraordinary occurrence given that this is the second time for her to bloom. The first bloom was in June 2012! You now have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see and smell this rare flower at the Moody Gardens Rainforest Pyramid. The blooming schedule for this plant is very unpredictable, which is why a second bloom from the same flower is an extraordinary feat! With a short blooming period of 2 to 4 days, don’t miss your chance to enjoy this unique experience. She is expected to be in Full Bloom within the next week.

The Corpse Flower was first discovered in 1878 by an Italian plant explorer Odoardo Beccari. Upon initial discovery, the plant struck fear into Beccari’s team due to the plant’s tremendous size and smell. It was believed to be a man-eating plant. Beccari took seeds back to the botanical gardens in Florence, Italy and later sent seedlings to The Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew in London, England. The first recorded bloom of the Corpse Flower took place at Kew in 1889. Police had to be called in to control the crowds of people who came to see it.

The common name, Corpse Flower, originates from the unpleasant odor the plant emits during flowering. The strong smell and color are similar to rotting flesh, which attracts its pollinators, carrion beetles and sweat flies. It is considered the largest flowering plant in the world, often reaching heights of over 10 feet tall.  Something that makes it so special is that not only is it rare in its native habitat, but also extremely rare in cultivation.

A mere 100 Corpse Flowers have bloomed in the United States since 1937 when the first bloom was recorded. The most recent was last month at the Chicago Botanical Garden in Illinois. Morticia’s bloom is only the fifth in the state of Texas. During Full Bloom, Moody Gardens Rainforest is offering extended hours until 10 p.m. for guests to experience this powerfully pungent and beautiful occurrence.

Watch Morticia LIVE on the #CorpseCam

*Morticia at full bloom in June 2012

White sand in Galveston? That’s right, Palm Beach. Galveston’s favorite white sand beach will be opening to the public on May 21^st! Relax under lush palm trees or take a dip in the cool waters of the popular lazy river or wave pool. With something for everyone, this summer will be loaded with fun and unforgettable memories!

Come and enjoy the interactive 650-foot lazy river, wave pool and two 18-foot tower slides. Other attractions include beach volleyball on regulation courts and the Aquarium Adventure play area. The Splashpad automated aquatic water feature offers interactive dump buckets, spray arches and fountains for a day of fun at the beach. Palm Beach admission is $23.95 for adults, $17.95 for children and seniors, or $55 for a season pass. Children ages three and under are free.

As if this isn’t enough fun, we have exactly what you need for a weekend of island fun with the Bands on the Sand summer concert series. Beginning June 4, this live music series runs throughout the summer following each show with fireworks over the Moody Gardens pyramids and Offatts Bayou. Admission to each concert is $15 and free for kids three and under. Bands on the Sand will be held from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m. every Friday and Saturday through August 13.

Below is the Bands on the Sand line-up:

June 4:                 Gary Michael Dahl (Variety/R&B)

June 10:               The Mockingbirds(Variety)

June 11:               Breakfast at Tiffany’s (Variety)

June 17:               Yelba (Variety/Latin)

June 18:               Mid Life Crisis (Variety)

June 24:               A Sure Thing (Rock)

June 25:               Line Up (Variety)

July 1:                   Intercoastal Pirates (Variety)

July 2:                   Space Monkeys (Variety)

July 8:                   Kaos (Variety/Rock)

July 9:                   Cody Hodges (Country)

July 15:                 Velvet Punch (Rock)

July 16:                The Relics (Rock)

July 22:                 The Slags (Variety/Rock)

July 23:                 Intercoastal Pirates (Variety)

July 29:                 Leannasaurus Rex (Variety)

July 30:                 Vertigo (Rock)

August 5:             Line Up (Variety)

August 6:             Rat Ranch (Rock)

August 12:           DJ Dio (Variety)

August 13:           The Relics (Rock)

I’m sure most have heard the saying, “There’s strength in numbers.” For one ant colony at the Moody Gardens Rainforest Pyramid this proves to be true. Located in the browse boxes of the Rainforest, one in the canopy level and the other towards the exhibit’s exit, resides the largest Leaf Cutter Ant (Atta Cephalotes) colony in Texas. Hailing from various tropical paradises in Central and South America, Leaf Cutter Ants are responsible for 20% of all plant consumption in the rainforests.

Consisting of hundreds of thousands female ants, work duties are based on a caste system. Within this pure feminist society are four different types of ants whose sole purpose is to care for and protect the queen. Soldiers, normally the largest of the ants defend the nest from intruders. Cutters are the worker ants that spend their time cutting leaves and returning them to the nest. Guards are the first line of defense and attack anything that may pose a threat. Minims, the smallest of the workers play a vital role in maintaining the colony as they are the caretakers of the fungal garden as well as the queen.

From the time we exit our mother’s womb, we are groomed to be self-sufficient individuals in order to one day run our own successful households. This isn’t too far-fetched for Leaf Cutter Ants. When a virgin queen leaves her mother’s nest, she will mate with multiple males during “nuptial flight.” During this process the males will die off and she will collect the sperm she needs in order to begin her own colony. She will then dig a tunnel and burrow herself into a chamber known as a “fungal garden.” For a few years, she will nourish the fungus brought from her mother’s colony in order to begin her own. Queens can live anywhere from 15-20 years of age. Upon her death the entire colony dies out with her.

The Rainforest Pyramid at Moody Gardens offers a huge variety of plant life to offer the colony as the ants cut daily. Be sure to stop by and get your own glimpse of these amazing creatures in action!

On April 23 you can start the day with a yoga class in the morning, and then take part in gardens tours, a treasure hunt, arts and crafts, and a free milkweed plant giveaway throughout the day as supplies last.  We will also be having an Earth Day Expo in the Garden Lobby with speakers that will focus on composting, rainwater harvesting, hummingbirds and nesting birds. You can also attend presentations on gardening and sustainable cooking on Saturday.

Throughout the weekend you can check out the Rainforest Pyramid to witness a breathtaking tribute to rapidly vanishing wonders of Africa, Asia and the Americas that will showcase some of the issues that are having a negative impact in the wild. We will also be holding Keeper Chats with Moody Gardens biologists with a variety of animals that range from butterflies and birds to komodo dragons and more. Staff will lead discussions on important environmental issues as visitors can learn how to better protect the planet for the future. Sunday, there will also be free live musical entertainment for you and your family to enjoy.

The Moody Gardens “ZOOpermarket” will be open the entire weekend inside the Rainforest Pyramid allowing you to learn about palm oil and how environmentally friendly your food is. In addition to the “ZOOpermarket” you can take part in arts and crafts tables on both Saturday and Sunday.

We will also be offering a special $29.95 Combo Pass to visit the Aquarium and Rainforest Pyramids April 22-24. One Earth, One Choice is possible with the partnership of the Friends of Moody Gardens. For the complete One Earth, Once Choice  schedule, visit our website.

At Moody Gardens we are dedicated to educating the community on nature, animals, and conservation. Part of the way that we do this is through different Keeper Chats and scheduled activities throughout the year. As Spring and Fall migrations offer fantastic birding on Galveston Island, we offer our Birding Classes  during which you are given a chance to go out into the field with our Animal Husbandry Manager, Greg Whitaker.

Birding 101 is a series of beginner level birding classes focused on the basics of birdwatching with a unique focus each month on timely, relevant subjects.  Reservations are not required for Birding 101, if you would like to attend please meet at the 4-D theater in the Visitors Center. The day will start off there with a short classroom style presentation followed by a leisurely walk around the Moody Gardens property. While looking around, Greg will discuss and point out the diversity that we have to offer on site. The next Birding 101 is scheduled for April 9, 2016 from 9am-11am.

If after Birding 101 you are looking for something a level up, we also offer Birding 201, offered on the third Saturday of the month..  This is a series of field trips that are geared towards the beginning level birders.  Most trips will be combined with the Galveston County Audubon Group’s field trips and offer an opportunity for you to interact with more experienced local birders.  Seats in the van for this trip are limited, so reservations are required. If you are interested please contact Greg directly at 409.683.4101. The next Birding 201 field trip is scheduled for May 21, 2016.

Feather Fest is also happening on Galveston from April 14-17. The fest boasts over 100 field trips, workshops, the Birds of Prey Raptor Show, and a screening of Audubon The Film! More information about the fest can be found on their website.

Happy birding!

There is still time to catch Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens 3D  at Moody Gardens in our state of the art theater!

Thirty years ago the Empire was defeated and now a new threat, the First Order has risen from the ashes of the Empire. A scavenger named Rey has come into contact with a droid that contains a map to the legendary Luke Skywalker, who has vanished. Rey and a rogue storm trooper named Finn find themselves in a monumental conflict between good and evil that will see faces old and new.

Experience the action at it plays out not only on the largest screen in Texas, but on one that features the world’s first 4K 3D Giant Screen 6 Primary Laser Projection System. What this means is that you will be immersed in 11.1 surround sound with Auro 3D on our Texas sized screen allowing the spectacular special effects of the film to be featured in the optimal setting for the best viewing experience in the world!

Take photos with your favorite Star Wars characters before the show Saturday, March 26! Stormtroopers and other characters will be roaming around Moody Gardens later in the afternoon before the 5:10 p.m. showing.

Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens 3D runs through spring break until March 27. Tickets for the film are included in our Day Pass or Two Day Value Pass as well as can be purchased separately for $10.95 for adults, $8.95 for children and seniors, and children 3 and under are free.  View our MG 3D Theater film schedule, or purchase tickets.