Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Field Guns And The Famous Five

I thought I would stay with this particular subject for today and tomorrow. Yesterday I caught another detail I'd missed before in the photograph- the statue of Queen Elizabeth on horseback can be glimpsed in the background among the trees at the left. Go on back and see if you can find it.

Gun crews from the military come up with these field guns from time to time on the Hill. Aside from Victoria Day, they do the same duty for a more somber day, Remembrance Day. And they participate as well each year in Fortissimo, a military ceremony involving marching bands. I missed it this year, more's the pity.


A good many people know about the tradition now, coming out to witness it, and to look at these guns up close beforehand. In the background, a number of people are gathered around a set of statues collectively known as The Famous Five. The Five are a group of women critical to the rights of women in Canadian history. I have to photograph them sometime. 


29 comments:

  1. That second photo is brilliant!

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  2. the clouds and the artillery barrels in the final shot make an interesting duet in photo form


    ALOHA from Honolulu
    ComfortSpiral
    =^..^= . <3 . >< } } (°>

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  3. Not something you get to see every day. Looks like a lot of people were interested.

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  4. When you said Famous Five I thought you meant the childrens books. Never read them ether. Not sure I'd want to be close when they fire that lot off

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  5. I had better luck finding Elizabeth here than Dior on VDP. Anyway, these guns must put on quite a show visually and acoustically.

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  6. Reminds me of the setup for the 1812 Overture during our Fourth of July festivities in D.C.

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  7. I'd be interested in seeing those statues of the Famous Five. I do go back to have a glimpse of the Queen Elizabeth statue. We get to see so many statues of men on horseback, it's great to know that you have one of the Queen.

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  8. Oh yes I do see Queen Elizabeth lurking in the bushes there William :) you have two more excellent shots here today.

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  9. @Linda: thank you!

    @Cloudia: I thought so!

    @Elaine: it did bring out a lot of people.

    @Bill: it's quite a loud noise.

    @Stuart: they certainly do.

    @Revrunner: actually the 1812 Overture is the centrepiece of the Fortissimo ceremony. It's great to hear it being played.

    @Sharon: I'll be photographing them sometime soon. They're statues with real character.

    @Tex: they do have that effect.

    @Grace: I've photographed the statue in full before... just didn't see it there until yesterday.

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  10. Good to see that lots of people came out to see all of this . Looks like an interesting time ! Nice photos , thanks for sharing , have a good day !

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  11. My two sons would enjoy seeing those big guns.

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  12. More statues! I like this...

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  13. Wish I could be there for one of these ceremonies. Couldn't see Queen Elizabeth though, but I'm sure she looked right at home on her horse!

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  14. @Country Gal: thank you!

    @Judy: lots of kids there that day were interested.

    @VP: there's no shortage of statues in my city.

    @Luis: thanks!

    @Cheryl: just look for the light colour of the stone base.

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  15. Crikey I can't see her :-( and yes I've enlarged the photo. I must be terribly tired! I imagine she was surveying things... :-)

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  16. Great photos, now that's a ceremony I would like to see. And to get a closer look at that statue. I love to look at them and everyone I come across I will take a picture of them.

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  17. I like the second photo because of the way the guns are lined up.

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  18. Never understood how people can show interest in guns and war material. I hate all this. A death industry in the name of what ?
    Regards Margaux

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  19. @Ciel: It's been awhile since I've photographed it. I'll have to remedy that.

    @RedPat: it was!

    @Denise: the statues on the Hill really do draw a lot of attention.

    @Norma: thank you.

    @Jan: thanks!

    @Margaux: and on the other hand, to not be ready can invite trouble.

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  20. I would love to see a picture of the five women.

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  21. I hope you DO take photos of the five women, William!

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  22. I am pleased my name is written with double N.
    Action where you are.

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  23. I love the statues of the Famous Five. haven't visited in a bit. This retirement business isn't for chumps! :-)

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  24. @Mari: it's quite a sculpture set.

    @Janis: very much so.

    @EG: I have, and will do so again.

    @Gunn: thanks!

    @Jennifer: the statues have been moved in recent months, as the work on the Hill would have otherwise cut them off entirely from visitations.

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