Baikal Museum

 This is a very educational museum ... we noticed many more English signs in Irkutsk - quite a destination resort with Lake Baikal so near. 

 Fascinating facts about this largest fresh water lake in the whole world.

 More info.

 Outline of the whole lake - displays were really well done.  We learned a great deal.

 How Lake Baikal was formed geographically.

 Current outline - there are thermal vents at the bottom of the lake.  There was an exhibit that took you inside a submarine and you dove to the bottom!  Learned a lot along the way.

 Russian eagle - small bear to the right.

 The museum had fresh water seals - two of them.  They had claws on the end of their flippers and our guide said to claw the ice and make breaking holes in the winter.  These are only found here, white baby seals when they are born - used to be endangered but not now.

Hard to get a good picture through the glass - they are so fat because they live in very cold water and weather!