Recent sightings

Summer solace
A couple watch a summer sunset over Lake Mendota, surrounded by the original style of Memorial Union Terrace chairs, a few of which can still be found along the upper deck of the Wisconsin Union Theater. (Photo: Jeff Miller)

Bascom Hall makeover
Crews have begun a renovation of Bascom Hall’s east portico, which looks out over the city from atop Bascom Hill. The project, expected to be completed in December, will repair damage to the wooden bases and capitals, or tops, of the portico’s six 22-foot-tall, bald-cypress columns and two rectangular half-columns. Over the years, deteriorating caulk allowed moisture to seep into the bases and capitals, causing them to rot. Additionally, deteriorated Madison sandstone around the building’s main entrance and front steps will be replaced with new blocks, shown in bottom image. (Photo: Michael Forster Rothbart)

Little stinker
Visitors gather to view a Titan Arum or “corpse flower” plant, nicknamed “Little Stinker,” that bloomed Aug. 5 at the Botany Greenhouse. This rare plant blooms two or three times during an average 40-year life span. Two different Titan Arum plants bloomed in 2001 and 2002. (Photo: Jeff Miller)