Community Chat

[Oznell]

Do you like the Arctic?   All my life, I've been fascinated, but veer between being Team Arctic, and Team Antarctica (ha).   Antarctica is interesting b/c of the geopolitical ramifications, the impermanent scientific stations (the fodder of entertaining Fifties' sci fi movies), and being so seemingly remote, at the bottom of the world.

But the Arctic seems "closer",  and of course, we in the U.S. and in Canada, can "claim" it, like the other six countries that have land within the Arctic Circle.   In addition to Canada and the U.S.,  those are Greenland, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Iceland and Russia.

 

If you grew up in Canada, as I mostly did, the Arctic is a brooding presence, "above", if only psychologically.  "True North strong and free" (cribbing from "O Canada),  and all that.  Even Canadian literature and history scholars have wrangled, at length, about what an influence the Arctic is on southern Canadians' image of themselves and collective persona.

But all eight countries have an ongoing relationship with their Arctic regions.

Imagine being at the North Pole--

I worry about Arctic hares.  But they are so rugged!    And cute.

The Arctic is more hospitable to life and growing things than we may think, and more so than the Antarctic. 

I may have a prejudice toward the summer Arctic landscapes....

This is more austere, but still beautiful--

I like the rockiness of the shore...

Tromso, Norway is one of many towns within the Arctic Circle.  It has a population of 68,000. 

Tiny settlements in Greenland cling to the rocks.  I like the different colors of the houses against the grayness--

An almost unfathomable region to contemplate--

[laluzdelmundo]

Thank you @Oznell, for introducing something new and beautiful for us to contemplate. It is especially appealing during this, the scorching season, in Arizona.

(edited for spelling, as usual)

[bmorechick]

Absolutely stunning and I have always wondered what life would be like in a region like that...other than extreme cold!  And Canada is my favorite country on the planet. I traveled a little with my sisters before I had kids and have  Been there a few times and it's...well let's just say I love it.  Lucky you being a Canadian citizen.  

Beautiful scenery, so crisp and clear.

[RetRN]

Fascinating, love the photos.

[Mindy D]

@Oznell @I love your posts and writing style. This one, The Arctic, is no exception. I do have a question about your posts. How do you get the type you use to look like it does? 

[sunshine 919]

Thank you Oznell, everything you post and pictures you share are always interesting and lovely

[DSD2]

Visually stunning Oznell.

The first picture is breathtaking and majestic in its beauty.

Thank you for sharing these incredible pictures with us.

[On It]

@Oznell I am fascinated by the Arctic. I could never visit or live there, but I appreciate its beauty and impact on the rest of Earth. I still think of it as a water mass rather than land.

My visits to the Arctic region are mostly Alaska TV shows. I hope we are not too late to save the ice cap from melting beyond repair. At least the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge featured on "The Last Alaskans" was recently spared from oil exploration that had been granted by the previous administration.

[reiki604]

Thank you for the beautiful pictures. We are taking a cruise to Iceland next month. I hope to take some photos nearly as pretty.

[ciao_bella]

@Oznell Always enjoy reading your posts.  Thank you for sharing such beautiful pictures.