Everywhere, a Museum Object

Joining a museum has taught me to observe the landscape differently. I used to lament over how quickly fat thistle heads turned from bright purple flowers to fuzzy tufts; I'd marvel at all the pollinators--beetles, bees, even black and white wasps--visiting the pollen-filled tops of goldenrods. I still do, but now other thoughts enter my mind. How can we best collect the bulbous head of a thistle for the Museum's herbarium collection? Why did it take me working on an exhibit to notice all the goldenrod soldier beetles? And where can I find a dead beetle so that I don't have to first capture one to add to the pinned insect collection?