A “Giant prickly stick insect” is on my hand at the Montreal insectarium.
What a wonderful experience this week at the Montreal Insectarium! While we were visiting one of the pavilions, an attendant offered to hold a Extatosoma tiaratum, also known as tiara snail, scorpion stick or Australian walking stick.
The insect gets its scorpion-like reputation from the fact that it curls its tail in the same way as a scorpion when it feels in danger. But it doesn’t sting. You can then put your hand upside down and it will grab you effortlessly. This is its natural position under a branch.
As someone who rarely carries his cell phone around with me, I was delighted to have the opportunity to take a photo of him that day!
Part of the insect collection at the Montreal insectarium.
The diversity of shapes and colours of insects in the environment is astounding. Nature never ceases to amaze.
Superb specimens at the Montreal insectarium.
In addition to the central pavilion, home to a large number of colourful insects, visitors can also take a stroll through the butterfly aviary. The butterflies wander around the visitors, but it is forbidden to touch them.
Among Quebec’s tourist attractions, the Montreal insectarium is well worth a visit.
Click on the link for more articles and photos on the environment in my blog.
Stage 18 of the round-the-world flight simulation takes place between Donegal Airport (EIDL) and Isle of Man Airport (EGNS), also known as Douglas Ronaldsway. This island is renowned as a tax haven and for its online gaming. It has a more “advantageous” financial regime than the UK. Its role also came to light in the “Paradise Papers”.
Since we fly over the Irish Sea in a single-engine aircraft, the Nardi FN-333 is an excellent choice in the event of engine failure. What’s more, it offers an attractive range (490 nmi) and a respectable cruising speed (143 knots at 8,000 feet).
Virtual Nardi FN-333 Riviera at the Donegal (EIDL) with MSFS
Capable of an ascent of 1280 feet/minute, it flies smoothly over the terrain after taking off from Donegal.
Virtual Nardi FN-333 Riviera airborne from the Donegal airport (EIDL) in the Republic of Ireland with MSFS
To the left of the flight path is Northern Ireland’s Strangford and Lecale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, https://strangfordlough.org/ a tourist attraction rated 4.8/5 by Google users.
Nardi FN-333 Riviera flying by the Strangford and Lecale area of outstanding natural beauty in Northern Ireland with MSFS
Once over the Irish Sea, you can see the first container ship, which will be followed by many other vessels with a variety of functions (Irish Ferries, car carriers, tankers, LNG carriers, etc.).
Nardi FN-333 Riviera overflying a container ship in the Irish Sea with Microsoft Flight Simulator
At the end of the day, the Isle of Man becomes visible. It’s always nice to arrive before dark when landing for the first time at an unfamiliar airport. This allows the pilot to get a good look at the surroundings.
Nardi FN-333 Riviera on final for the Isle of Man airport with MSFS
The sun illuminates the cockpit in a very realistic way with the new flight simulators. In the past, shadows didn’t move in the cockpit.
Isle of Man in sight in the evening with Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020
Very close to the Isle of Man Airport (EGNS) is a huge building, King William’s College. It offers private education to young people between the ages of 3 and 18. I wonder if the staff have ever had a scare because of a missed approach by one of the many aircraft that land on the island every day. After all, there is no shortage of accidents.
King William’s College near the Isle of Man airport with Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020
Fortunately, the landing did not frighten the students at the nearby college.
The Nardi FN-333 Riviera just landed at the Isle of Man (EGNS) airport in the evening.
A few days’ stopover will be necessary before embarking on the rest of the trip. We’ll then reach the Republic of Ireland, landing at Dublin airport (EIDW) with the MSFS 2020 flight simulator and the Cessna 310R from Blackbird Simulations.
A pedestrian takes a break in Old Quebec, with the Price building in the background.
A pedestrian rests in the evening in the shadow of the Price building in Old Quebec. Many residents and tourists alike appreciate the safety of the Old Town. Accompanied or unaccompanied, even the elderly feel at ease here late in the evening.
The Price building is the only skyscraper allowed in Old Quebec. During my photography sessions in this area, I enjoy finding different vantage points and special lighting to feature this unique building. At the time I captured the scene, there was still a bit of blue in the sky. This color blends delicately with the surrounding orange-yellow.
The flight simulation world tour continues with a Britten Norman BN2A Trislander MK III. The initial version of the aircraft is not particularly reliable. There have been engine failures, fatigue cracks in the structure, cowlings opening unexpectedly, etc. Nevertheless, we’re going to try our luck with this aircraft today.
BN2A Trislander airborne from the Barra beach airfield with MSFS
With a three-engine aircraft, pilots don’t take into account the distance to shore in case of engine failure. But if we were flying a single-engine aircraft, we’d have to head for Tiree Island at the highest possible altitude, then turn off towards Donegal.
Virtual BN2A Trislander MK III enroute to Donegal airport (EIDL) in the Republic of Ireland with MSFS
In all realistic virtual flights, a program injects weather data received from airports via the Internet directly into the flight simulator.
For the past few days, the weather in Ireland and Scotland has been nothing but fine. I was expecting rain and low clouds, but it’s been just the opposite.
So, for the time being, the fine weather is making it easier to plan flights over a very large area. Below you can see the rockier landscape around Donegal airport.
BN2A Trislander descending towards Donegal in Republic of Ireland with MSFS
The Trislander is now on final for runway 21 at Donegal. Light winds make the approach easy. No part of the aircraft has been lost on the way!
The Britten Norman Trislander is on final for Donegal airport (EIDL) in flight simulation
The airport staff have already brought out the suitcases for the next flight. Way too much luggage! They must have mistaken the Trislander for a Boeing 737. Aviation rules are strict. I don’t know if the passengers bring back too much shells or beer bottles with them, but some of the suitcases won’t be leaving today!
BN2A arrived at Donegal (EIDL) with Microsoft Flight Simulator
In the evening, a virtual drone flies over the area to observe the cliffs and numerous wind turbines.
Virtual landscape around the Donegal region in the Republic of Ireland with MSFS 2020 flight simulator.
Virtual scenery in the evening in the Donegal region of the Republic of Ireland with MSFS 2020.
Leg 18 of the world tour will take place between Donegal Airport and the Isle of Man, using a Nardi FN-333 Riviera and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020.
The photo above is a good example of appropriate human behavior and an original way of avoiding the eternal fence squabbles between neighbors.
Why argue about a tree that’s too close to the property line? Two Quebec City neighbors decided to work together and trim the fence to facilitate the growth of a tree that has been growing over the years.
It’s a minimal effort that preserves good relations between neighbors while taking care of the environment. Intelligence is the ability to adapt!
Click on the link for more articles on environment in my blog.
The exploration of the planet in flight simulation continues. Today we’re flying from Bruray / Out Skerries (EG78 or OUK for the IATA code) to the Barra beach airfield (EGPR). It’s a demanding virtual flight, especially when it comes to taking off from Out Skerries. The winds are strong and quite sideways to the small runway. You can see this by observing the windsock from the cockpit.
Virtual DHC-4 Caribou ready for crosswind take-off at EG78 Out Skerries aerodrome with MSFS
The crew opted to use a good old DHC-4 Caribou, which has proved its worth in difficult landings and take-offs. The virtual clouds reflect the current situation in the Shetland Islands.
With both feet on the brakes, the flaps adjusted and the steering wheel turned to the right to limit the effect of the wind on the right wing, the crew push the throttle to maximum while releasing the brakes. The aircraft moves a little to the left as it rolls, but by using rudder, it stays on the runway long enough to take off.
DHC-4 Caribou virtual aircraft airborne out of Out Skerries (EG78) in Scotland
The flight is made in VFR mode under cloud. Eventually, the sky clears and we can enjoy the scenery as we approach Barra beach. The low tide makes for a smooth landing.
DHC-4 Caribou enroute to the Barra (EGPR) virtual airport on the beach with MSFS
The photo below shows the Caribou in right base for Barra beach. What a great day for visual flying!
Barra (EGPR) sand runway in sight with the virtual DHC-4 Caribou with MSFS
DHC-4 Caribou on final for the sand runway at Barra virtual airport (EGPR) with MSFS
The DHC-4 is now on short final for the sand runway. Even though it’s a large twin-engine aircraft, its short take-off and landing capabilities mean that it will only need a very small portion of the available range.
The virtual Barra airport (EGPR) and the DHC-4 Caribou on a stopover in flight simulation with MSFS.
A few passengers seem to have already arrived, unless they’re curious onlookers who heard the aircraft approaching. This is certainly a very rare visit by a DHC-4 to Barra!
Virtual DHC-4 Caribou landed on the beach at Barra airport (EGPR) with MSFS
Airport management refuses to reveal the aircraft’s destination. In any case, this won’t be the first time a Caribou has made special flights on demanding runways.
Ultimate luxury with sleeping pods for the future passengers of a virtual DHC-4 Caribou with MSFS
A final photo shows the interior of the Caribou. Impressive luxury, with berths available for first-class passengers. There’s no stopping progress!
Stage 17 of this round-the-world flight simulation will take place between Barra and Donegal (EIDL) in Northern Ireland. The virtual Britten Norman BN2A Trislander MK III will make the journey using the Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 (MSFS) flight simulator.
Passing through the church parking lot for a night photography session, I took advantage of the sculpture honoring the eight Canadian martyr saints to highlight the full moon.
One of the Jesuits made the task easy for me, as he was already pointing his finger skyward. All I had to do was wait for the right moment to link religion and astronomy. Social media have popularized this kind of technique in photography, but it’s still satisfying to get such a shot.
The day ends at Berthier-sur-Mer, in the province of Quebec. The last glimmers of the setting sunilluminate this magnificent flower directly. There are only a few specimens of its kind on the beach. The flower points directly towards the horizon and the St. Lawrence River. The weak rays of the sun replace a flash to illuminate the plant from within.
Through the videos on Youtube, I see that a runway called Out Skerries (EG78 or OUK) in the Shetland Islands attracts interest for its challenging landing. It is only 1195 feet long.
The tiny airstrip will therefore be the destination for leg #15 of our round-the-world flight simulation tour with the MSFS flight simulator.
To increase the fun, we choose a twin-engine aircraft, which is heavier and requires a longer breaking distance.
We take off from Dundee (EGPN) with a virtual Diamond DA-62 and arrive at dusk. It’s probably a bit tight for a short, unlit runway, but we’ll give it a go.
DA-62 aircraft taking off from Dundee airport, Scotland, with Microsoft Flight Simulator
The stall speed of the DA-62 in landing configuration is 68 knots, which will help us to succeed in our undertaking. We take a 018-degree northerly course to reach the islands from Dundee. Ground speed is around 155 knots for this 250 nautical mile journey.
Virtual DA-62 over Scotland enroute to the Shetland Islands
DA-62 aircraft near Fair Isle in the Shetland Islands with Microsoft Flight Simulator
We have to fly off Fair Isle on the way to our destination. I learn from some research that Fair Isle knitwear remains one of Shetland’s most famous products. I imagine that fish products are also very popular.
Flight trajectory towards Out Skerries (EG78) on the Shetland Islands, Scotland
Approaching Out Skerries (EG78) airport in Scotland with the DA62 virtual aircraft
Here we are, approaching Out Skerries. The absence of runway lights makes the operation tricky.
The surrounding hills block the pilot’s view at low altitude, and what is considered a landing strip is not visible until fairly late in the approach. There are no other aids to help locate the facilities.
The omnipresent winds complicate the task, as does the turn on approach. One of the runway thresholds ends in a cliff ready to receive ill-prepared aviators.
After landing at Out Skerries airport (EG78) with Microsoft Flight Simulator
We see the runway threshold at the last moment. Since the DA-62 weighs more than a single-engine model, the aircraft requires a longer braking distance.
Ground contact is harder than usual, but without bouncing. If there’s a bounce, the pilot has to climb back up and repeat the approach.
You really have to glue the aircraft to the ground at the runway threshold, immediately raise the flaps while pulling back on the stick to maximize braking efficiency. In real life, we’d add that braking must be performed without locking the wheels.
I classify this exercise as a challenging virtual flight.
Fishing boat around the Shetland Islands with Microsoft Flight Simulator
Once the flight is over, the crew visits the surroundings. Many fishing boats come and go around the islands.
Mussel farming around the Shetland islands in Scotland, with Microsoft Flight Simulator.
On our next flight, we head for Barra Airfield (EGPR). It’s located in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides and is the only airport in the world “where scheduled services land on a beach”. We’ll be sure to check the tide before take-off…
Effect of inversion fog on architectural styles in Quebec City.
Photography theory
In March, a heat wave sweeps through Quebec City while there is still snow on the ground. The warm air floating above the snow favors the appearance of fog or mist in places. But if the wind picks up even a little, visibility will quickly improve.
For lovers of night photography, now is the time to get busy! I arrive on Grande-Allée just as the fog begins to lift. The scene presents several types of contrast. Visibility varies at different heights and in the presence of buildings with very different styles.
I position myself so that the old house is directly in front of the more modern building. By framing tightly, I eliminate all distractions. The light fog accentuates the impact of the tower’s numerous lights. This further enhances the chiaroscuro effect. One hour later, the fog has totally disappeared.
