Diving Down Into The Abyss

 The NEPTUNE Canada observatory off the British Columbia coast, down on the floor, running tests and gathering data about the ocean. That data is sent to scientists around the world. 

Here we have a series of models of various whales.

The blue whale skeleton certainly impresses.

They are the biggest animal on earth, and the blue whale feasts on tiny animals- krill, a small crustacean that travels together. A sample of them are in the vial at right.

One last look.

I took another picture of Gaia outside.

And then it was onto the next gallery- the Mammal Gallery.

An Arctic Fox is found near the entry, though you have to look carefully for him.

Adaptation is the key for mammals to thrive. We will continue this series after the theme day.

The Depths Of The Ocean

 Life in the true depths of the oceans thrives in immense pressure, and seems to have an alien look.

This is a mock up of a deep sea thermal vent. Down in the darkness, mineral rich hot water pours out of vents, creating an environment for lifeforms to make a living off of.

Crabs, lobsters, and other creatures of the sea are called arthropods, characterized by exoskeletons.

Another glance at the blue whale skeleton.

We still know so little about the deep parts of the oceans.

One of the peculiarities of the sea is the common mola, a large sunbathing fish that is thought to dive deep for its food, and can often be seen lying on its side on the surface. A model of one hangs above.

A Variety Of Organisms

 The spotted turtle is a resident of freshwater lakes and rivers. A terrarium includes this live one.

A large aquarium includes several species of freshwater fish.

Wetlands are the great filtration system of nature. Aside from the fish that live in them, many animals make a living in wetlands- birds, raccoons, snakes, and more. This display case shows some you might find in a Canadian wetland.

Back out in the ocean, jellyfish are part of the environment. An aquarium features several live jellyfish- ethereal, alien, graceful, and rather hard to photograph.

Swimming Machines

 A video display features images of life in the sea.

Another look at the blue whale.

Life in water has evolved to meet its challenges.

Overhead, models of narwhals are hanging.

This model is a cut out, showing how much blubber is on a blue whale.