The Fathers Of Confederation

The views from Parliament Hill are delightful to take in. On the far shore of the Ottawa River is Gatineau, with the rise of the Gatineau Hills in the distance. 

Another of our sterling prime ministers. With the current work going on, most of the statues are behind the fence, but at least somewhat accessible to the photographer. This is John Diefenbaker.

One part of Centre Block is not having work done on it- because restoration work was done at the quarter of the century. Nonetheless, it's cut off from access. This is the Library of Parliament.

Before it in this shot is George-Etienne Cartier, a Father of Confederation and co-premier of the United Canadas.

The barge down on the river had to do with a fireworks display going on at the time.

The Library of Parliament is a visual delight.

This next statue is of another Father of Confederation, Thomas D'Arcy McGee.

Here we have a remnant of the former Centre Block. This bell fell from the tower overnight February 3rd, 1916, during the fire that destroyed the original Centre Block. It is now displayed here, with signage in English and French.

Nearby, another statue, recently moved here. John A. Macdonald was co-premier of the United Canadas with Cartier, the strongest voice of the Fathers of Confederation, and the first Prime Minister of Canada.

Paying A Visit To Parliament Hill

 It was time to take a stroll around Parliament Hill. The work around Centre Block continues, with large portions of the structure covered with scaffolding and drapes.

East Block is one of the original buildings on site. There is some work happening with this building, but here and there.

This door on East Block always catches my eye.

There are a number of monuments and statues on the Hill. This is the newest of them, commemorating the War of 1812. It stands out in front of East Block. In the background and across the street lies the offices of the Prime Minister. It is the only Parliamentary Block not on Parliament Hill itself.

Nearby, a statue of Prime Minister Wilfrid Laurier stands, looking out into Confederation Square, which is dominated by the National War Memorial.

Downslope, we have a statue of William Lyon Mackenzie King, another of our great Prime Ministers.

I headed around the perimeter, noting the contrast between East Block and Centre Block.

I took a shot downslope. The Rideau Canal is down there through the trees. The Hill slopes are heavily wooded.

This statue honours George Brown, a journalist and politician who was one of the driving forces of Confederation.

The view across takes in the National Gallery and Major's Hill Park.

Robert Baldwin and Louis-Hippolyte Lafontaine were co-premiers of the United Canadas, otherwise known as Ontario and Quebec. Following a period of unrest, these two legislative leaders paved the way for Confederation through responsible government.

A sundial stands here near the monument, dating two centuries old, a legacy of Colonel By and his men.

Ends And Odds In The Capital City

 Early in August while I was attending the Busker Festival, I noticed these two birds pecking away in the spacious planter I was sitting beside. They blended in well.

A short walk away, I noticed something I've walked past countless times at the corner of Bank and Sparks Streets without noticing. I believe the building at this corner might have once been a bank, hence the crest.

A bit further along on Sparks Street is the current location of a sculpture honouring Terry Fox, the Canadian marathon runner who lost a leg to cancer, set out to run across the country from east to west, and lost his fight to cancer before he could finish it. Millions run marathons for cancer research in his name each year.

Some photo bloggers do hip shots. I inadvertently did one during a busker performance, but liked the shot.

This summer has been one of rain. One day at home I noticed the building dark clouds outside my apartment building. Excuse the ropes- there's balcony work being done on my side of the building. To the west, the buildings across the way are government buildings.

The storm clouds built. When it unleashed, it was a furious storm.

With rain comes rainbows. This was on another day in the north end of the Glebe.

August and September is the time of sunflowers. These are outside Abbotsford House, a former 19th century farmhouse that sees new use as a senior's community centre.

On another day in the north end of the Glebe, I saw this rabbit early in the morning. They are not animals of the heat of the day; one is more likely to see them first thing, or in the evening and overnight.

En route to visit a museum, my route took me through the Riverview neighbourhood. I stopped along the way to head down a street and photograph a church. This is the Church of Christ, nestled in a quiet area.

My last shot that day was taken close to home, outside an LRT station. This compass is thematically First Nations, and I recall seeing a similar one outside City Hall.

Odds And Ends In The Capital City

I have some odds and ends from the last few weeks today and tomorrow. We start back on Canada Day. I stopped briefly by the Museum of Nature that day, and as I was leaving the property, these ominous clouds were presenting themselves. Within minutes, the first rain began, falling hard. 

A little while later, and a bus ride away, I took this photograph downtown up at the sky. Another round of rain would soon fall, and when I got home, the worst storm of the day came down late in the afternoon.

On another day, close to home. This sweet cat spends a good part of the day napping in front of her house.

Another furry critter. I've probably photographed this rabbit before; this is in the front yard of St. Matthew Anglican Church in the Glebe.

In Major's Park stands this work of art. Twist 1.5 is by Alex Wyse and Ken Guild, done in wood.

Back in the Glebe, this church is one I don't photograph often. Blessed Sacrament Parish is a Catholic church in the south side of the neighbourhood.

The Supreme Court of Canada late in the day- a masterpiece of Art Deco architecture.

One day when I went into Gatineau, I stopped to photograph these flowerboxes alongside the street. You may remember the tulips being in them. After the tulips are done blooming, they get replaced by flowers lasting the season into October.

Once more in the Glebe. The stump of an old tree is hidden beneath all this greenery.

One morning at Lansdowne Park I noticed this squirrel, who noticed me.

For today, I finish here downtown. This is a work in progress, a large mural on a building. It's since been completed, and looks beautiful.