Friday, July 21, 2017

The Arctic

The Arctic Gallery is a newly opened gallery on the top floor of the Museum of Nature. The visitor first comes across these slabs upon entry. Images are projected onto each. As to what they are? These are slabs of ice. The daily melt water is collected into drains and recycled back into freezing the ice, so the slabs are continually replenished.


Inside, the Gallery is filled with the story of the Arctic, its biosphere of life, and its relationship to those who have called it home for generations- the Inuit peoples. Below are some of the animals that can be expected to be found in Canada's far north, enduring long winters and relishing in short summers with very long days.


This was actually a work of art, Rookery, by an artist from Nunavut, Ben Kovic.


This is a fossil display of a camel. Bones have been found of these animals on Ellesmere Island in Nunavut- dating back 3.5 million years.


Another fossil- this is the skull of a mammoth. I have more from here tomorrow.

27 comments:

  1. This looks fascinating! What a great gallery. This is something I'd love to see.

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  2. Very interesting display in the museum. Have a fabulous day!

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  3. ...things don't look too cold today!

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  4. There are a lot of different animals there.

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  5. I´m surprised to see the fossil of a camel there.

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  6. i wish we could have lived through the more snowy days ... to see not normal critters. love the cow colored duck. very cool. fun times. ( ;

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  7. @Linda: thanks!

    @Kay: I enjoyed my visit.

    @Nancy: it drew in the crowds.

    @Tom: it's hot here!

    @Marianne: there is a lot of life in the far north.

    @Marleen: the world was quite different back then.

    @Beth: thank you.

    @Sussi: it is!

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  8. You'll sense, from my post, that going into the city is the last thing I want to do! I am happy you shared these photos.

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  9. If only the real arctic and antarctic could be replenished that way...
    Janis
    GDP

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  10. Fascinating series, William !!

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  11. Hello, I would love to see this exhibit. The nature images are beautiful. The slabs of ice are interesting. Happy Friday, enjoy your day and weekend!

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  12. This is fantastic. I'd love to see this exhibit in person. Very interesting!

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  13. @Jan: it certainly is.

    @Jennifer: thank you.

    @Janis: that's one of the points in this gallery- climate is bringing change faster to this place than others. It astonishes me that so many people out there refuse to see that.

    @Karl: thanks!

    @Eileen: I was pleased with the result.

    @Sharon: it's quite informative, I felt.

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  14. It's amazing to think that animals can survive up there through those winters! This looks like a great space!

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  15. This is so wonderful.
    Your photo inside and under lights, have come out fabulous.
    Thank you for posting this.


    cheers, parsnip

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  16. Feel the cold rising from the ice! Wonderful sensory idea, William!

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  17. Bunny rabbits, born to be cute. The baby ox isn't so shabby either.

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  18. Wonderful series William. The arctic is an interesting place.

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  19. @Norma: thanks!

    @RedPat: it was well put together.

    @Parsnip: you're welcome.

    @Cloudia: that ice is cold!

    @Revrunner: I agree!

    @Bill: indeed!

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  20. Fascinating. I saw some of the animals and birds. the muskox impressed me. do they have any plants?

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    Replies
    1. Plant life in the north is examined more or less in display panels.

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  21. The polar bear looked like he was smiling.

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