Antarctica Revealed

Click to read article as a PDF

If you go, pack carefully for the most remote South

Story by Katharine Fletcher; photos by Eric Fletcher

Penguins. Humpback whales, Tales of the undaunted British explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton’s 1915 expedition. Ice, glaciers, mountains and snow. Kayaking amid icebergs and growlers (“baby” icebergs). Camping on the Antarctic Peninsula, that reaches out toward South America.

Depending on weather and sea ice, all this awaits voyageurs bound for Earth’s southernmost continent...

Click to read entire winter issue.
My article is on p. 17.

5 worth the drive before Christmas

The Shenkman Art Centre features creations by local artists.
Photo by Katharine Fletcher.

Story by Katharine Fletcher

Before the holidays and inclement driving weather arrives, Katharine Fletcher says why not shop locally and purchase gifts from local artists, artisans, and shopkeepers?

 

Shenkman Arts Centre

 

Shenkman (245 Centrum Blvd. shenkmanarts.ca) is a one-stop-shop for everything artsy – throughout the year. Whether it’s theatre performances; pottery or many, many other artsy (and theatre) classes; viewing art in the Centre’s seven galleries; or attending the annual Baz’Art winter arts market, there’s lots to do under one roof.

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Read the full story at the Ottawa Citizen online.

How do birds survive the bitter cold, skinny legs ’n all?



Read my column on Capital Parent’s blog,
where you can also read the full current issue.

As we know, many birds survive Canadian winters by completely avoiding the bitter months. Many migrate to warmer climates, some even flying as far as Florida or South America.

By Katharine Fletcher

Some sub-arctic and boreal forest species such as snow buntings, great grey and snowy owls, and rough-legged hawks migrate from the north to our more southerly region to overwinter. Believe it or not, Ottawa is their Florida!

Have you ever wondered why, when winter temperatures plunge to -40C, birds’ spaghetti-thin legs don’t freeze solid? How can these extremely tiny animals survive winter’s frigid conditions?

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Read the full story on Capital Parent’s blog.

Daytripping to Old Chelsea

Enjoy a day out in Chelsea. Photo by Katharine Fletcher.

 

Story by Katharine Fletcher

From Gatineau Park trails to North America’s largest day spa, Katharine Fletcher believes Old Chelsea offers an array of attractions to appeal to everyone

 

Where is Old Chelsea?

 

Just 20 minutes north of Parliament Hill (15.7 km), Old Chelsea is an historic village accessed off Highway 5 North via exit 12.

Why do you particularly recommend it?

 

Primarily, because it’s such an “Ottawa Valley” place. It’s also an extremely picturesque village with colourful “old world charm.” It’s also the gateway to Gatineau Park. And, although I’m no shopper, there are some intriguing shops where you get a genuine, warm greeting.

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Read the full story at the Ottawa Citizen online.

Natural Encounters in Antarctica

Click to read entire fall/winter issue.
My article starts on page 14.

Story by Katharine Fletcher, photos and magazine cover by Eric Fletcher

A 19-day Expedition to the End of the World

Antarctica conjures images of penguins, snow and icebergs

Many of us also recall vivid tales of exploration, where heroic explorers such as Britain’s Sir Ernest Shackleton and Norway’s Roald Amundsen raced to reach the South Pole.

The southernmost continent had been on our bucket list, so last December my husband Eric and I booked on Norwegian company Hurtigruten’s 19-day Great Antarctic Expedition. MV Fram would depart Ushuaia, Argentina, bound for the Falkland, South Georgia and the South Orkney islands—destination Antarctica.

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Read the full story at Dreamscapes online.

The masked bandits of Ottawa

Read my column on Capital Parent’s blog,
where you can also read the full current issue.

Raccoons are a great example of a wild animal that has adapted to its environment. Read on to learn more about one of our most prolific critters.

By Katharine Fletcher

Who’s the critter that resembles a masked bandit and sometimes makes a ruckus in our shed and garbage cans? It’s a raccoon, and the black face mask and white “eyebrows” are their signature markings.

Because they are omnivorous (meaning they eat practically anything) and extremely adaptable, they have adjusted well to urban life, as have skunks and coyotes.

Here in Ottawa, raccoons are commonly found where there are many ravines, wetlands, and urban forests providing shelter and food.

. . .
Read the full story on Capital Parent’s blog.

Daytripping to Morris Island

Canoeing on the protected inner bay waters
at Morris Island Conservation Area.

Story by Katharine Fletcher, photos by Eric Fletcher

Morris Island Conservation Area is a 47-hectare land and water trail network bordering the Ottawa River that Katharine Fletcher finds is an excellent introduction to the National Capital Region’s human and natural history

 

Where is this parkland?

 

Enjoying the view of the Ottawa River and Chats Falls dam from
one of the many lookouts at Morris Island Conservation Area.

 

Located 70 kilometres west of Ottawa, Morris Island Conservation Area is a gem of a wetland and forested parkland. It is also west of Ontario’s access to the Quyon Ferry (at Mohr’s Landing), Fitzroy Provincial Park, and the village of Fitzroy Harbour.

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Read the full story at the Ottawa Citizen online.