EDIT

    $block_list = array();

    $gallery_settings = getGallerySettings(CDM_DATAPORTAL_DESCRIPTION_GALLERY_NAME);

    // Create a drupal block for each feature

    } // END: creating a block per feature

    drupal_alter('cdm_feature_node_blocks', $block_list, $taxon);

    return _block_get_renderable_array($block_list);

  }