Friday, May 16, 2014

Tulips

Down at Dow's Lake, we can always count on the paparazzi to be busy taking pictures. Fortunately their subject are far more appealing than certain wastes of oxygen who would go to the opening of an envelope just to get their pictures in the papers.


One of my grandfathers worked in the tulip industry in the Netherlands before immigrating. On one of his trips back years later, he was surprised by the new types of bulbs- he expected that only a handful of the bulbs he'd known in his time were in use.


This is something new in Commissioner's Park. These unusual sculptures are set up in various spots. I'm still not sure what to make of them. They look like something Edward Scissorhands might have had a go at.


Another kind of art is present here in the park. These large tulip sculptures are painted in different ways, some with Dutch designs, others with a distinctly Canadian look. They might include animals, sports teams, or even the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.






More tulips to come. I'm leaving you today with the second panel here in the park.





35 comments:

  1. Beautiful flowers and I love the Dutch designs.

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  2. The tulip sculptures remind me of a similar one in Paris a few years back. The same form of a bear was painted to represent each of over 100 countries (I'm guessing at the number, it was a lot). Like the tulips it was very creative. Your last panel is an unsettling reminder that we must not forget history and learn from it... and act on it.

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  3. I didn't know about the bears in Paris but the tulips remind me of the Berliner Bär and London cows! Edward Scissorhands did a nice job, isn't that Eliza Doolittle?

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  4. What a delightful transition from those beautiful tulips to the sculptures. Wonderful.

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  5. Great pictures, William!
    Love the tulips and also the tulip sculptures!

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  6. love the tulip sculptures & such gorgeous colored blooms. ( :

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  7. After all the winter scenes in past months, William, these bursts of color are delightful and very beautiful. One of the things we sorely miss where we live currently is public park space as there is none. The woman in the first photo was quite intent on capturing the tulips. Interesting to read about your grandfather's connection too. I was wondering if the scultures were left out year round and if so are they protected from winter weather?

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  8. Love these William. They are gorgeous.

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  9. The tulips are beautiful and I just love those sculptures! So many colors.

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  10. Great pictures of the tulips again, William.
    I specially like those sculptures, I don't think I have seen such scultures overhere.

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  11. i really like those tulip sculptures! have a great weekend :)

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  12. Tulip fields forever! Love the sculptures. The floral ones are familiar as Disneyworld is full of them. The varied colored ones are a delight and so unique. Remind me a bit of Alice in Wonderland for some reason. Fun place for sure!

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  13. linda: so do I.

    Stuart: the tulip sculpures have been part of this for many years.

    Ciel: I can see some of Eliza in that one.

    Lauren: more of both to come.

    Whisk: thanks.

    Karl: thank you.

    Beth: it is a riot of colour.

    Beatrice: they are only out during the festival.

    Luis: thank you.

    Lois: they really plant a rich variety.

    Jan: thank you!

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  14. Wow - there is lots to see. I used to never miss the tulip show. I think I'll try to get to Ottawa as soon as the rain stops. Love your comment on the paparazzi.

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  15. I'd love to see this...but wait! We have you to show it all to us...thanks William.
    Jane x

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  16. i'm not sure the painted tulips work well. i like it when some cities use their animal 'logos' to paint and display all over town - like cows, horses, pigs. dallas used pegasus a few years ago. the tulips almost seem too busy on their own. i laughed at the edward scissorhands. :) and neat that your grandfather worked in the original tulip industry.

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  17. So many tulips William, here and last post. So pretty.. We can buy tulips here at the moment $35 for a small bunch..I don't think so :) I really like the tulip sculptures, so colourful and unusual.

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  18. It all makes for a beautiful day in the park.

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  19. @Tanya: thanks!

    @Lowell: strangely, I can see the Wonderland connection.

    @Deb: it seemed utterly appropriate for the occasion!

    @Jane and Chris: the lovely thing is it's always on each year.

    @Tex: That's the thought I had when I saw these sculptures: that movie.

    @Grace: that's a small fortune!

    @Judy: it does!

    @Krieg: indeed!

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  20. Very interesting. I don't know if I like the gigantic Tulips. They almost look like giant Easter eggs. Strange movie-Edward Scissorhands but it seems to apply here.
    Sad historic reminder--and we must remember! MB

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  21. Love the beautiful flowers and the funny sculptures!

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  22. I like the sculptures and the tulips are wonderful - I've never seen so many at once!

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  23. The tulip sculptures are a nice touch, but the tulips themselves are the stars!

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  24. I love the real tulips best, their colours are lovely. Have a nice weekend, William!

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  25. Beautiful views of those tulip little fields and very cool tulip sculptures 'parade'! First time I see it.

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  26. I love tulips and I'm so glad they keep coming up with beautiful new ones, too. I'd still enjoy them even if they were the same. The painted versions are a nice opportunity for local artists to show their stuff. And there are fewer worries about the timing of the blooms, too.

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  27. They're so beautiful. Roses are lovely but fragile. Tulips are strong, enduring.

    Love the sculptures, too.

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  28. @MB: well, I haven't seen Johnny Depp around!

    @VP: the flowers really do get front and center.

    @RedPat: there are generally over a million bulbs planted each year.

    @Cheryl: they really are!

    @Marleen: thank you!

    @Jose: and still more to come!

    @Kay: with things so late this year, the tulips are really shining now.

    @Norma: they certainly are.

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  29. Terrific pictures. The tulip sculptures are quite colorful. I'm not sure about the "green" sculpture of a woman.

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  30. Those tulip sculptures look like giant egg cups. I've been to the tulip festival twice and both times it poured with rain. You'll be glad to know I'm not coming this year.

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  31. Pretty flowers but the sculptures steal the show!

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  32. That's the most elaborate topiary I have ever seen! The tulip sculptures are fun!

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  33. @Mari: those green sculptures seem to run hot and cold with people.

    @Hamilton: we had great weather for the festival this year.

    @Linda: they're well done, whoever paints them.

    @HIlda: thank you!

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