Monday, March 16, 2020

The Aurora Borealis

Spring is coming, and so yesterday I switched out the header for something appropriate, taken last spring at Dow's Lake during the Tulip Festival.

The Arctic Gallery certainly is a delight to visit.


First Nations peoples have been in the Far North for millennia. In more recent centuries, European explorers had been seeking out the elusive Northwest Passage through this region. In 1845, Sir John Franklin led an ill fated expedition trying to seek the passage. His two ships and the members of his expedition met their fates in the unforgiving north. The ships were found several years ago. Over the years following the expedition, search parties found scattered items and the odd grave. Franklin's last resting place is unknown.


A display case includes some of the remnants. Some of them are recognizable: a hook, buttons, a pipe. Others are less recognizable.


First Nations peoples were far better adapted to the North than Franklin's expedition.


A display screen shows a rotating series of photographs from the Far North, including animals, landscapes, and the human element.


This one, featuring a church in Inuvik under the glow of the Northern Lights, is particularly vivid.


I stepped out of the Arctic Gallery and took a view looking down into the central atrium.


As well as up at the windows on the ceiling.


For today I finish off with this view looking out into the Queens Lantern and what's hanging out there at the moment.

40 comments:

  1. I heard so much about the Northern Lights and some of my friends have took the trip to see the beautiful lights.

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  2. Ohhhh! Season opened!!! Beautiful banner! Trees here make no efford yet.
    Now, I cannot recall on which expedition I read, but fate was the same. Brave men who failed in the icy cold.
    The ceiling windows make me nervous, though. Don´t you get hail and such?!

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  3. Your header is beautiful ! Cheers up ! I would love to see the Northern Lights in Norway, but unfortunately this year is not a travel year.

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  4. We just spent the weekend in Algonquin Provincial Park and my daughter joined us there, so we started to muse about plans for my next visit to Ottawa.

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  5. I would love to see the Aurora Borealis.

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  6. Very nice header!
    Cheers! For a beautiful Spring!

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  7. @Nancy: I've seen them.

    @Iris: that might well have been the Franklin Expedition.

    @Gattina: someday down the line.

    @David: let me know!

    @Francisco: thank you.

    @Italiafinlandia: thanks.

    @Rosemary: I have.

    @Ella: thank you.

    @Marianne: thanks.

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  8. Amazing that there is anything left at all from the expedition.

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  9. Hello, I was hoping you were going to show the lights. It is a nice exhibit. Stay safe and healthy, calm and happy. Enjoy your day, have a great new week!

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  10. I love your header, it makes me smile.

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  11. Beautiful header image, William !

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  12. The Northern Lights sometimes make it so that they are visible in Vermont.

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  13. You have chosen a nice colorful and fresh header.
    Meanwhile it's been 15 years since I saw the norhern light overhere in the Netherlands. I'm longing to see it again!

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  14. Great header...so glad you're looking toward spring. This will be a spring to be remembered! In isolation here.

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  15. The north is a beautiful land . The climate is brutal. You can cope very well but make sure you follow what the aboriginals tell you. Always take their advice.

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  16. Your new header brought a smile to my face.

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  17. It has been years since I saw the northern lights but a great memory.

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  18. ...thanks for the new header! The Aurora Borealis is something that I'd love to see.

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  19. The church with the northern lights is fabulous!

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  20. The northern lights are always amazing to see.
    Awesome new header, I love it!

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  21. @Marie: true.

    @Eileen: thank you.

    @DJan: it was time.

    @Karl: thank you.

    @Maywyn: they have been seen here too.

    @Jan: thank you.

    @Barbara: things are in flux here.

    @Red: that's true.

    @Sami: thank you.

    @Sharon: thanks.

    @Michelle: for good reason.

    @Tom: you're welcome.

    @RedPat: it is.

    @Bill: thank you.

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  22. Love The New Banner Photo - Right On - Its My Kind Of Field Trip

    Cheers

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  23. oh you made my day with your springy header .. thank goodness i am so ready ... we need some springy views. have a lovely week. ( ;

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  24. Lovely spring header ~ great post ~ ^_^

    Be Well,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  25. I think I'd like the arctic gallery very much!

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  26. You make the museum look very tall, up and down.

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  27. Oh those tulips! I could hardly tear my eyes away to read your post. But glad I did, because I always love and learn from your museum tours (you are a great docent). We are just a little lacking in cultural experiences here in the sunshine state. )

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  28. What a beautiful space and interesting exhibits. (It's exciting to see that new header of yours. A great lead-up to tulip time.)

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  29. I have always been in awe of the northern lights and hope to photograph them someday, in the north.

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  30. Such a fascinating museum, I've enjoyed the photos in your last few posts about it:)

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  31. Fabulous views looking down into the central atrium William.

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  32. I just love your new header.
    It must be amazing to see the northern lights.

    All the best Jan

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  33. @Padre: thank you.

    @Beth: there are signs of spring here.

    @Carol: thank you.

    @Jeanie: I do.

    @Catarina: it is.

    @Joanne: indeed.

    @Sallie: we're spoiled for museums.

    @Magiceye: thank you.

    @Kay: thank you.

    @Catalyst: thanks!

    @Jennifer: I've seen them the odd time.

    @Rosie: thank you.

    @Grace: indeed.

    @Jan: it is.

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