Canadian Wildlife Federation is a national charitable non-profit organization dedicated to the appreciation and promotion of our natural world and a lasting legacy of healthy wildlife in its habitat by spreading knowledge of the impacts of human behavior on the environment, and sponsoring research, promoting sustainable uses of natural resources, and recommending policy changes. This year CWF was one of the partners to bring six glorious tall ships to the Port of Montreal, and present various fun and educational activities including lectures by experienced sailors, concerts on stage in the Maritime Village, and tours of the tall ships for the public from September 14th to 18th.

I couldn't think of a better way for myself and my kindred-spirited company than spending the final weekend of a glorious summer, and capture some warm memories to last me through the imminent bone-chilling, subzero temperatures, with literally mountains of snow that are the fate of us, Montreal natives. In spite of the few rainy, single digit (centigrade) temperatures earlier in the week, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday shaped out to be just perfect. Sunny skies with puffs of occasional white clouds and friendly, moderate temperatures made it possible for us to enjoy most out of the visit of the Tall Ships at the quay in Old Montreal; and for me to take photographs as well as chat with some of the nicest crew and organizers.

Each vessel had its own history and its own tales of adventure to share, yet their apparent magic was more magnified each evening when they were illuminated at dusk while they swayed silently at the harbor to the city's slowed heartbeat. This magic reached new heights on Saturday and Sunday nights, when the skies of the Old Port of Montreal were lit up when fireworks cascaded a special glow over the magnificent tall ships.  

in her full sail glory PATHFINDER is Canadian

public onboard the PATHFINDER

U.S. Pride of Baltimore II

The Flagship Niagara is administered and operated by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission with the assistance of the Flagship Niagara League. It is used as a sailing school vessel for training and inspected by the U.S Coast Guard as a Sailing School Vessel - SSV.

 The bell on the NIAGARA

Various lines

the tiller 

below deck sleeping quarters with a hammock on the NIAGARA.

John Gielfried, crew ~ SSV NIAGARA

Local youth in spirit of the Tall Ships on their way to the harbor.

~~*~*~***~*~*~~

Füsun Atalay ~ Copyright © Will of my Own - 2011