Natural History Museum

Isn't it always the way, when you live in a city with all kinds of tourist attractions you never go or go just once. I've been here for a few years and yet never managed to make the 10 minute trip over to the Museum Für Naturkunde.

  A friend and I discovered that we both hadn't been there yet so in early January we mad the trek to check out the old bird.

  Whenever the subject of the Museum Für Naturkunde comes up in conversation, the usual comment is, oh the place with the dinosaurs. One step inside and there's no doubt what the star attraction is.

This is the first exhibit inside the front door.

Had to do the touristy thing and pose with Gertie.

Do not touch. Seems obvious but...

Moments before the ambulance was called... :)

There are many other creatures on display here, the usual four legged kind as well as insects and birds. However in one room there was a selection of specimens from the collection of preserved creatures. Some amazing creatures from the deep oceans and more expected realms.

I couldn't see the label on this but looks a bit like a muppet.

Definite air of mad scientist laboratory here.

  There are also displays about the process of preserving the creatures and creating molds and dioramas. There's also a place for schools to bring a class for educational days.

This friendly face is next to the area for school kids.

This silver back Gorilla has been in the collection for the best part of a century. There is a separate display for the team that preserved and posed the figure.

This is a good use of a large stairwell. The circular screen slowly descends towards the viewers lying on the couch thing below. The images projected show a cosmic zoom from the big bang to formation of planets and a final fly-in to the museum roof.

   The gem room is known for being in its most original state for a classic museum. The architecture and display cases feel very 1900 to my eye. You half expect Indiana Jones to walk through on tour. I'm sure a few films have used this as a location.

Waaay to many examples to photograph, lots of weird crystals like this.

 We spent too long in the other areas and had to rush through the gems and minerals exhibit in about 5 minutes. I didn't get a chance to take many shots or to note just what that strange orange crystal was, perhaps some form of Gypsum.

  Apparently Knut the famous polar bear was briefly on display here in 2013 and is due to have a permanent place as of later this year. An excuse to go back.

Andy