Tuesday, April 30, 2019

The Wonders Of The Water Gallery

A panel here goes into detail on the peculiar Common Mola.


The lightweight model is hanging overhead.


This display case takes a look at marine invertebrates.


Here we have other angles on the blue whale skeleton.


Nearby, a model features a cutaway half to show how much of a blue whale is covered over with fat and muscle.


A display is set up to show the sort of life that thrives around deep sea vents with their mineral rich waters.


Here we have a model of a leatherback turtle.


Beyond the ocean area, freshwater life is examined. This area appeared to be undergoing some adjustments in the layout during my visit. A terrarium is found here with spotted turtles inside. One of them was just getting out of the water.


An aquarium with a number of freshwater fish was nearby. I will be continuing the series after tomorrow's theme day, though one shot from the Museum features in my post for tomorrow.

Monday, April 29, 2019

From Land To The Sea

Coming out of the Bird Gallery and back into the entrance area of this space, I mentioned that this has educational areas and some live specimens of insects and other critters in terrariums. Panels at the base explain things about each.


The other critters include things like spiders. This is a Columbian pinkbloom tarantula. Why are they so hairy? Well, they're waterproofing, a barrier to parasites, and sensitive to air movement- something that allows this largely nocturnal spider to detect both prey and predators.


In other cases, the hairs might be a defensive weapon. The Chilean Rose-haired Tarantula can launch a mist of microscopic barbed hairs that can become embedded in the skin of another animal, causing physical irritation.


Another look at stained glass windows, located in the Lantern area on this floor. From here I was heading over to the gallery on the other side.


The Water Gallery has as its centerpiece the preserved skeleton of a blue whale. Specimens, panels, and displays within this area deal with both freshwater and saltwater biosystems.


This display case, for instance, shows models of various whale species.


Birds are often tied to the water, whether that is the sea or freshwater, spending some of their time out on the water. Specimens are in this case.


Another display case features models of fish and a panel that highlights key differences between them.


It's not just the biosystems of water that are explored in this area. The vast topography beneath the oceans of the world is another subject. We know more about space than we do about what's beneath the waves.


This is a 3D model of Barkley Canyon, along Canada's west coast. It is above the Juan de Fuca tectonic plate descending beneath western North America, and descends to 2000 metres deep. For comparison, the accompanying panel notes that the CN Tower is 553 metres in height. I'll pick up here tomorrow to close out the month.

Sunday, April 28, 2019

Feathered Aviators

Here are more of the display cases featuring birds of various sizes in the Bird Gallery at the Museum of Nature.


Dioramas, mixing together the specimens with a painted background, include grouse of the prairies or a bird of prey found along the shores of Ontario's Great Lakes.


More of the display cases finish out the Gallery space.

Saturday, April 27, 2019

Designated Birds

A visit into the Bird Gallery includes a display set of provincial and territorial birds, some large, some small. From left to right we have British Columbia's Steller's Jay. Alberta has the Great Horned Owl. The Northwest Territories have designated the Gyrfalcon. And New Brunswick has the Black-capped Chickadee.


Nunavut chose the Rock Ptarmigan, while Ontario has the Common Loon. Saskatchewan has the Sharp-Tailed Grouse, and the Yukon chose the Common Raven.


The Atlantic Puffin represents the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Manitoba designated the Great Grey Owl as their provincial bird. The Blue Jay represents Prince Edward Island. Nova Scotia selected the Osprey as its official bird. And rounding out the set is Quebec's provincial bird, the Snowy Owl.


Displays of preserved birds throughout the rest of the gallery are plentiful, and tend to be organized thematically with physical traits or behaviours. I have more from here tomorrow.