Forest Whales

08/20/2026

Nerd Alert!
I just laser-engraved a life-size Allosaurus skull.

08/18/2026

Nerd Alert!
The chance that I would ever meet the real Neil deGrasse Tyson is slim to none.
Even if I did, I don't think I would ask for an autograph for fear of being rude.
So I went ahead and did the next coolest thing, and bought an autographed copy of his book, "Starry Messenger."

08/17/2026

We have had some fun moments over the past few weeks. I bumped into a few people whom I haven't seen in almost 20 years. I drove through towns I've never heard of to get to my destination. I've explored parts of this state that most others don't, and met some amazing people along the way.

I want to thank Katie from the Middleton Public Library, and Rachel from the Oconto Falls Community Library for trusting us to bring something unique to your hometown.

In Middleton, I spotted someone I hadn't seen since a mission trip to St. Lucia in 2007. In Oconto Falls, a face from a college dorm hall twenty years ago. The numbers don't follow the population, they follow something harder to measure. And when an older gentleman needed a steady arm inside Clara,....

08/02/2026

We had a wonderful time with Middleton Public Library on Friday. Well over 400 people attended the event, having the opportunity to meet Clara, hang out with Prehistoric Facts with Dino Chris to check out some really cool bones and fossils, then participate in a plethora of fun games and activities. You are all awesome, Middleton, WI!
Thank you to Northside Elementary for hosting the event, and to WKOW 27 for the fun news story!

https://www.wkow.com/news/life-size-inflatable-whale-clara-visits-middleton-elementary-school/article_e33c2a4e-6bab-43a5-ab1e-ddbd9d2f5ebc.html

MIDDLETON, Wis. (WKOW) — A life-size inflatable gray whale visited Northside Elementary School today for an interactive marine science event open to all ages.

08/01/2026

The August issue of "Whale Mail" has henceforth been released!

If you aren't signed up for this FREE monthly newsletter, you can subscribe and get old issues here: www.forestwhales.com/whalemail

Our August issue discusses the North Atlantic Right Whale, Wisconsin native prairies, turtle conservation, mosasaurs, and a museum on the Iowa/Wisconsin border you really shouldn't miss.

Whale Mail is a free monthly newsletter packed with ready-to-use science ideas for teachers and librarians — from ocean life and fossils to space exploration and NGSS classroom experiments.

07/30/2026

Hey, Middleton, Wisconsin, get your scuba gear ready (not really), and your life jackets on (again, not really), because Clara the whale will be swimming (okay, driving) into your hometown tomorrow!
A huge thank you to the Middleton Public Library for hosting this event.
Come see what a life-size whale looks like, go inside her to hear her story, then check out a few dozen museum-quality replica whale bones like a narwhal tusk, humpback vertebra, and an enormous orca skull.
Located at Northside Elementary (due to Clara's size), we will be set up from 11-4.
We'll see you tomorrow!

07/22/2026

For any of our new followers who are interested, every month we send out our newsletter, "Whale Mail," which is full of fun, easy-to-read articles about marine science, fossils, cool Wisconsin sites, and more.
The next issue will be sent out in about a week!
Feel free to sign up at www.forestwhales.com/whalemail

Whale Mail is a free monthly newsletter packed with ready-to-use science ideas for teachers and librarians — from ocean life and fossils to space exploration and NGSS classroom experiments.

07/17/2026

Yesterday in Amery, something happened inside Clara that has never happened before.

A woman came to the library event and asked if she could play some glass instruments inside the whale. I said yes. (seriously, why would anyone say "no" to a request like that?)

What followed was a few minutes of sound bouncing around inside 56 feet of inflatable cetacean. Whether you're into the spiritual side of things or not, I can tell you it was one of the more unique moments I've had in this job. Clara made for a remarkable concert hall.

Check out Yam Frequency for the video. It's worth a watch.

400 people came through Clara yesterday. Emma Novak at the library called it the biggest event she's been a part of. Not bad for a Thursday afternoon.

Thank you, Amery Area Public Library for having us in your beautiful town. And a shout out to the black bear that posed along the edge of a corn field on our way to Amery.

07/13/2026

Take a guess:
How many kids would it take to equal the approximate weight of a real gray whale?

07/10/2026

I like visiting small towns. They are a different kind of fun. You can take a little more time with each group, throw in more details and, ultimately, I think that helps kids (and grownups) make a better connection with Clara.
https://www.forestwhales.com/post/some-days-small-towns-are-the-best-towns
Juneau Public Library Juneau, Wisconsin