Last year the Hagens were commissioned to develop a sculpture for the DuPont Nature Center at the Mispillion Harbor Reserve. Their creation, "Knottie", is a giant 6 foot tall replica of the red knot, a small shore bird that visits our region for several weeks each spring. This page is the story of Knottie's creation, installation, and dedication at the Nature Preserve.

First we start with some models...

A big air tank works for the body!

Lou starts with the head

Don't forget the neck and legs

Mispillion is the site where thousands of red knot shore birds stop every spring on their 15,000 mile migration from the tip of South America to the Arctic Circle. The red knot, an endangered species, stops for about a two week period to rest and feed on the eggs of the horseshoe crab. With impeccable timing, the red knots always arrive just as the horseshoe crabs are spawning on the banks of the Delaware estuary.

And a bird's gotta have a beak ...

Yee-hah! Ride 'em, cowboy

Now it's time for the wings

Really coming together

Wednesday, March 23, 2007 celebrated the opening of the DuPont Nature Center. The Center serves as a science-based education and interpretive facility for schools, families, and other organized groups. It includes an observation deck with spotting scopes to view the harbor, bay, and shoreline. More than 130 species of birds, fish, shellfish, and other animals populate the area. Inside the center visitors can view shorebirds and horseshoe crabs along the shoreline more than 100 yards away, courtesy of a remote camera and a 42-inch plasma viewing screen. The center is also filled with exhibits devoted to the Delaware Bay's natural history and ecology.

A little sandblasting to smooth a few wrinkles	Judy putting the "red" in red knot!	Check those tailfeathers!	Lou and Knottie in the yard - we're done!
Knottie's new home in Mispillion	Wrapped up tight for moving day	Dedication Day with Mom, Dad, & Knottie	Giving credit where it's due
Standing guard at the Nature Center	Be good - I'm keeping my eye on you!	We're ready for the dedication ceremony	There's a good crowd for the dedication
	Governor Minner arrives for the ceremony	The Governor thinks Knottie is Number1!

Hours of Operation

May-June:
8:00AM-4:00PM
Closed Mon & Tues

July-April:
8:00AM-4:00PM
Closed Sat & Sun

Observation deck is open year-round from sunrise to sunset


Directions

From the North:

• Take Route 1 south to exit SR-36 toward Milford / Slaughter Beach
• Turn left onto Cedar Beach Road / DE-36 (4.6 miles)
• Turn left onto Lighthouse Road (1 mile)

From the South:

• Take Route 1 north to exit SR-36 toward Milford / Slaughter Beach
• Turn right onto Cedar Beach Road / DE-36 (4.6 miles)
• Turn left onto Lighthouse Road (1 mile)