Tuesday, November 10, 2026

Autumn Splendour

 My path on this day took me back to the area around Confederation Square, the very heart of the city. Trees were in fall colour mode on the grounds of the National Arts Centre, while Canada geese had lunch in the grass.


I continued on my way. At one side of the NAC, below a wall with changing leaf colours, is a larger than life statue of the great Canadian jazz composer and pianist, Oscar Peterson. His music plays from speakers up on the wall.


I headed down to Confederation Park, where this fountain was on.


The park has a number of monuments, and the oldest and newest stand together.


The newest is for animals in war, characterized by a life sized German shepherd, with three accompanying plaques. Beside it is the oldest- a cenotaph commemorating local veterans of the South African War.


It was a nice day to be out and about.


The largest monument here is at the west end, facing the Lord Elgin Hotel across the street. The National Aboriginal Veterans Monument is dedicated to indigenous warriors from across the country's history. On top of a large stone are four warriors, with a wolf, elk, bison, and bear around them, and an eagle at the top.


Tomorrow we'll wrap up the fall series, going back up the street to the heart of Confederation Square- the National War Memorial, just in time for Remembrance Day.

Monday, November 9, 2026

Autumn Viewpoints

 Carrying on with this visit to Major's Hill Park, I took more shots.


This is a very similar angle to a series I do yearly of Parliament Hill once a month from this park, though the spot I choose for that series is a short walk away.


I took a shot looking towards the National Gallery of Canada. It's been awhile since I've been in there.


Across the way, Notre Dame, the most distinctive church in the city.


One last shot, looking back at where I had come from- Plaza Bridge, with the lockmaster station just below it.

Sunday, November 8, 2026

Colours Within The Park

 More today from this fall walkabout.


Entering Major's Hill Park, I found many a tree at peak colours.


Colonel By looked quite distinguished. The flowerbeds around him have been replanted for tulips next May.

Saturday, November 7, 2026

Along The Ottawa Locks

 One day in the latter half of October, I stopped downtown to visit a few spots for fall photos. I got off a bus at Plaza Bridge, where I photographed the view southward towards the National Arts Centre, at right, with the Rideau Canal down to the left.


My first destination on this day was Major's Hill Park, on the east side of the Ottawa Locks, where the Canal descends to meet the Ottawa River. Parliament Hill is on the west side.


The steep slope of the Hill has a lot of trees, particularly photogenic in the fall.


The Bytown Museum lies down below. Its regular hours resume in the spring, I believe.


Across the wide expanse of the Ottawa River, we have Gatineau in Quebec. The great rise of the Gatineau Hills is in the background.


The Canadian Museum of History is also over there.


The park is close by, on the bluff at right.