There is a wealth of bike paths throughout Ottawa and Gatineau- though not useful in winter. This particular path is over in Ottawa South, not far from the General Hospital, along a corridor that is kept largely wild. Back in early November I was down there on a day with grey, brooding skies. It's a different side to the fall.
Though the leaves were gone from these trees, berries were still in place.
Perhaps someone knows what they might be? My botany skills are sadly undeveloped...
Another day, another location, but brooding skies nonetheless. Downtown, this empty lot has stood empty- aside from summer cafes or temporary use- for decades; as I recall, there was an explosion here and the building that once stood here was leveled. That wall decoration might end up in permanent shadow if they ever get around to building yet more condos here.
Higher up on the same wall, we have ourselves a ghost sign, faded with time, a stark contrast to the sky beyond. I find myself wondering who this Snider is, and how many years it's been since he shuffled off this mortal coil.
I find those grey November days to be the worst. It can be challenging to find beauty outdoors.
ReplyDeleteThat wall decoration is interesting. And intriguing.
Sorry I don't know what the berries are but they always look so pretty. Love the old ads!
ReplyDeletei love that old ghost sign...did you google him?
ReplyDeleteGA Snider ran a photography business in the 1890's according to what I found on Google. I also saw there is a GA Snyder in Georgia who is also a photographer. What are the odds of that?
ReplyDeleteI like the decoration on the wall, I hope someone uses it rather than just covering It up.
Mr. Snider will never be forgotten as long as this wonderful memorial remains.
ReplyDelete@Hamilton: November skies do have a bleakness going on...
ReplyDelete@Ciel: I like how enduring that sign is after so many years.
@Tanya: I did, and the lot was not empty for decades- there was a building there after the explosion in this area, a theatre that was torn down in the 90s. There was an idea some years ago to build an office tower there, but the concept seems to have fallen through.
@Sharon: that's what I found that as well. Apparently there were many photographers here in the last part of the 19th century.
@Stuart: it does seem to capture the imagination!
I actually really like that first one. I love grey days.
ReplyDeleteI've never heard anyone refer to those old faded hand painted signs you see around as a 'ghost sign'. I like it. Both those signs and the term. It would be fun to do the research to find out about G.A.Snider and his photography business. Maybe your next profession? Like you don't have enough on your plate already.... (hahaaaa).
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking the berries are buckthorn berries...but I'm not sure about that!
ReplyDeleteNice to see you're also into capturing the grey!
ReplyDeleteI love the aging photographer sign! You should try to do some research on him!
ReplyDeleteIt has been a very grey fall this year. Love the ghost sign. There is probably a fine bit of history there!
ReplyDeleteThe bare trees look wonderful with all those black berries. Sorry I can't help you with the species.
ReplyDeleteNeat ghost sign. Your skies look pretty much like what we are having.
ReplyDeleteWondering of you wondering if you looked up Snider.
ReplyDeleteI really love that faded ghost sign - made me think the same thing re: Snider. Sadly, my botanical knowledge is woeful:)
ReplyDeleteThought you might like to see this design blog tour of Ottawa:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.designsponge.com/2013/12/ottawa-city-guide.html
I wonder if bears might find those berries tasty?
ReplyDelete@Krisztina: I do too.
ReplyDelete@Pleasant House: I have to photograph it again sometime. Since I last did, some of the utility boxes have been decorated with historical images, including one near that sign.
@EG: they could be.
@Annette: I don't mind doing so.
@Sarah: as it turns out there's information on him out there. At some point when I'm in need of a few days worth of posts, I'll photograph utility boxes, including one that features him.
@RedPat: it's quite a sign.
@JM: I'm a bit hopeless on such things.
@Lauren: we tend to get a lot of grey days.
ReplyDelete@Barbara: yes I did.
@Londonlulu: I wonder what he'd think having the place sign still visible long after he's gone.
@Joan: thanks!
@Norma: I imagine the birds and the squirrels get to them over the winter.