Friday, March 7, 2014

A Ramble Through The Snow

Today I'm finishing up in Jacques Cartier Park. With such massive mounds of snow, it's often typical to find carvings along sides that are opposite from the slides themselves. Below, this wall of snow was the backdrop for a stage in the park.


Walking through the park, on the way down to the Ottawa River, this snow sculpture caught my eye.


These sculptures here in the park tend to start out as blocks of snow shipped in, about twenty five feet tall. Carvers work from there, cutting and chiseling down to their vision.


Looking out onto the Ottawa River from the Gatineau shore. This time of year, it's hard to tell where the shore starts; the snow and the ice blend together. That person you see at the middle of the pic, however, is definitely out on the ice.


Another view of the river from this part of the park. The bridge is the Alexandria, one of the connections between Ottawa and Gatineau. Parliament Hill is beyond it.


Back into Ottawa tomorrow....


28 comments:

  1. It's nice but I want spring spring spring!

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  2. The sculptures are huge and gorgeous. I love the carving in the wall of snow and I like the lady that caught your eye. MB

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  3. The wall is fantastic! I'm going to be sorry to let these go!

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  4. Amazing shots William.. Are you still having snowy weather.. I had a check to see if you have a weather 'thingy' in your sidebar, would be interesting to see :)

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  5. So much work goes into creating these! I didn't realize so many sculptors participated in this event.

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  6. Linda: winter shouldd stick around!

    MB: it's a pleasure to show these off.

    Ciel: I can't wait til the next year's Winterlude.

    Grace: there is blue sky this morning. I should add something like that at the bottom of the posts.

    EG: it takkes a lot of teamwork.

    Luis: that they are.

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  7. Gorgeous. William. I once saw an ice carver at work and was amazed at how deftly he handled his saw. However, about winter: Ole Man Winter's head would look great on the block! Enough of this mess, sheesh!

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  8. i liked the skiers put into that side. :) really neat designs.

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  9. they are incredible works of art!

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  10. Wow! I've seen ice sculptures of course but never beautiful snow sculptures like that.

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  11. There is certainly an impressive group of sculptures here.

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  12. I can't get over those wonderful snow sculptures!

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  13. @Kittie: would it be wrong to say how much I love this weather?

    @Tex: they certainly were!

    @Tanya: and they don't last long for art..

    @Krisztina: the snow sculptures are my favourite part of Winterlude.

    @Sharon: thank you!

    @RedPat: you should see them in person!

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  14. Wonderful. You live in a beautiful place.

    cheers, parsnip

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  15. Very cool! (Literally!) Probably one of the better uses of snow ;)

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  16. Canada's such a beautiful country...when it isn't buried under snow....

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  17. Glorious photos! I love the hazy feel in the last two. Pure magic.

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  18. As usual, your posts make me so happy I am in the desert and it was 74 degrees today.

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  19. @Parsnip: thank you!

    @Meradeth: it's a very good use indeed.

    @Cheryl: the carvers really work wonders.

    @Norma: that's just two months of a year.

    @Jan: they are that!

    @Linda: thanks!

    @Mari: that's too warm for March!

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  20. Great snow sculptures!!! Snow, ice and sand sculpting have really become so phenomenal...they're so detailed and finely finished!!!

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  21. Those snow sculptures continue to impress me with the talent of the people who create them. I always enjoy your photos also William. Thanks so much!

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  22. The snow sculptures are wonderful!

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  23. I can only repeat, I love these snow sculptures!

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  24. Fantastic! Especially love that top one.

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  25. @Chieftess: thank you!

    @Denise: you're welcome.

    @Elaine: I certainly think so.

    @Karl: I do as well.

    @Lauren: I agree!

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