Tuesday, February 2, 2021

Adaptation Of Mammals In Canada

First, in some places today a jittery, cranky, prognosticating rodent will make a prediction about the rest of the winter and break hearts of those wanting an early spring. Here in Canada we'll get at least six more weeks of winter regardless. Preferably more.

Second, my longtime readers will be familiar with Winterlude. With Covid being as it is, the festival is virtual only this year, so there won't be shots of ice sculptures or other things, more's the pity. The Rideau Canal skateway is open, however, so expect some of that down the line.

Returning today to the Museum of Nature, the next gallery is the Mammal Gallery, featuring dioramas, displays, and panels about Canadian mammals.One of the first things one sees upon entry is an area that looks like the far north, with an Arctic fox lurking. 


Close by is a polar bear, out to make a meal of a seal.


This is the first of the panels.


Several large dioramas feature a specific species or two, with a reconstructed foreground and a painted mural in the background that gives the diorama great depth. This first case features a family of beavers. Panels at the base give information.


This panel looks at adaptations mammals use for camouflage.

32 comments:

  1. Sorry the Ice Sculpture Festival is not being held this year ... the stupid virus!
    And the Groundhog ... let him sleep ... spring is coming soon!
    The Museum of Nature ia realy very intresting!

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  2. Beavers have been re-introduced to the UK in recent years, it'll be interesting to see how this turns out.

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  3. Unfortunately, many events are canceled here too.
    I like that diarama of the beavers. The beaver had long disappeared from our country, but just like the otter, it is back in our nature.

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  4. Based on what I see these dioramas are really well done. As for winter, I am not a winter hater, but by March I like to see green shoots poking out of the ground.

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  5. ...life is all about adapting!

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  6. @Ella: virtual Winterlude isn't the same.

    @John: they are amazing animals.

    @Jan: beavers are industrious.

    @Gattina: definitely.

    @David: here we can expect that in April.

    @Tom: indeed.

    @Magiceye: thanks!

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  7. Very well done dioramas. Thank you for sharing.

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  8. Beavers are incredible creatures!

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  9. I think it was two years ago when my friends Julie and Dave went on a trip to way northern Canada to photograph polar bears. They got some fantastic photos. Such beautiful animals.

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  10. I like to see a polar bear live but not really.

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  11. I am more comfortable with these mammals than with reptiles.

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  12. Great info and display of mammals ~

    Moment by moment,

    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  13. I can't ever remember seeing three beavers in a group working one tree.

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  14. @DJan: you're welcome.

    @RedPat: they are.

    @Sharon: they are magnificent animals.

    @Marie: it would be an experience.

    @Nancy: most people are.

    @Carol: thank you.

    @Red: the most I've seen is one, but I have been close to their lodges and dams.

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  15. That rodent knows nothing. Spring will be early this year. I plan on wearing sandals in March...while watching the snow fall from my comfy indoors chair.

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  16. Did you know that Audubon followed up with a much less well known 'Quadrupeds of North America'?!
    I like polar bears and beavers

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  17. can you imagine seeing a polar bear in person???, wow!! i wonder. lol. ( ;

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  18. Polar bears are such incredible and amazing animals.

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  19. That's fine. Punxsutawney Phil can just crawl back into his den for a while longer.

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  20. I hope Polar bears don't become endangered because of global warming melting the ice they need to travel on while hunting. They are such beautiful and unique creatures.

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  21. I love the big exhibits with animals like the polar bear. Very striking. Pity about Phil and Winterlude, too. But not surprised. Same here with all that is winter.

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  22. I think the dioramas are very well done.

    All the best Jan

    PS Happy Birthday Wishes

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  23. @Maywyn: we can expect snow into April.

    @Francisco: thank you!

    @Cloudia: I did not.

    @Beth: it would be quite something.

    @Bill: that they are.

    @Revrunner: and Wiarton Willie.

    @Pat: I hope not.

    @Jeanie: it's one more thing to add to the list. I'm so tired of this damned disease.

    @Jan: I think so too. Thank you.

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  24. Our kids went skating yesterday at a local spot in Nepean. There is that.

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