Monday, October 28, 2013

The Flame And The Tower

Earlier this month, late on a sunny Saturday afternoon, I went up to Parliament Hill, where a number of visitors were around the Centennial Flame. It was unveiled in our centennial year, 1967, by Prime Minister Lester Pearson (in my opinion, the best leader we ever had). The shields of the provinces and most of the territories- Nunavut was organized in 1999, so it's absent- encircle the flame, and water pours down the slopes into a fountain. On a cold day, the heat is quite welcome.


This was actually the first time I've photographed fire. Oddly, it's tricky!


Beyond the Flame is the walkway up to the main entrance of the Centre Block, and the Peace Tower. This is the second version of the Centre Block; the first was destroyed by fire in 1916, with only the Library of Parliament behind it saved.


16 comments:

  1. It's an impressive building. You'll have to show us the flame again when everything is frozen around!

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  2. You did a great job on these, partner!

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  3. So many beautiful buildings you have there. That 1st shot with the flames is amazing.

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  4. What a treat to see your photos of the flame. I have never seen it before.

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    1. I've gotten used to it, anytime I've been up to the hill.

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  5. I think these buildings are perhaps the most beautiful in the country. Every time I've been in Ottawa though, it has rained.

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    1. There's so much detail to the buildings. Stonemasons went a bit nuts when they cobbled it all together...

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  6. I thought the fire did rather well!

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  7. Very nice; bit of a balancing act to work with competing sources of light, I think.

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