Taxidermists Ends the Season

The Red Crossbill has unusual crossed mandibles.

Master taxidermist Mike Orthober will be at the Door County Historical Museum on Aug. 16 for the last time this season. He will be there most of the day mounting a specimen for the museum’s “Seasons of Life” display. Orthober created the spectacular diorama over a period of years, and continues to add birds and animals. This summer he has mounted a Red Crossbill and an unusual colored (piebald) Chipping Sparrow.

Orthober is well known in the taxidermy field, having won many national and international awards, most recently Best in World for warm-water fish and Second in World for a non-game bird. He also judges World Taxidermy Championships and teaches others his methods.

The museum, open daily from 10 am to 4:30 pm May 1 to Oct. 31, is located at 18 N. 4th Avenue in Sturgeon Bay. For more information call 920.743.5809 or email [email protected]. Admission to the museum is free but donations are welcome to benefit museum exhibits and programming.