Late Winter Photo Opportunities For A Master Pianist

Passing by the National Arts Centre one day before the thaw started, I wanted to take some photos of the sculpture honouring the great Canadian jazz musician Oscar Peterson. It's a popular photo stop- two other people were busy taking pics while I was doing the same. This sculpture is done by the artist Ruth Abernethy, who also did the John McCrae statue I showed you two days ago- one of two, as the other is in McCrae's hometown of Guelph, Ontario. The Peterson sculpture was unveiled by Queen Elizabeth II in 2010, and the NAC has a speaker on the wall above playing his music regularly. If you look closely in the background of the third and fifth shots, you might make out the National War Memorial as well. And have a look at this video for people interacting with Oscar.

Sunrise, Sunset, And Shadow Upon The Canal

I was passing over the Rideau Canal at Bronson Avenue one morning in February and liked the light of the sunrise. The ice on the Canal is mostly gone by now- though not all of it.

Further east, at Bank Street, I photographed the light in the sky to the west at dusk some days later, adding in a black and white shot while I was at it.

John McCrae And One Last View Of The Falls

Green Island has a number of military monuments set up in the park. The newest one, which I've shown before, is of the warrior poet John McCrae, writer of In Flanders Fields. I liked how the monument was silhouetted against the snow and sky.

Moving over to the west section of the Rideau Falls, I photographed the frozen trees standing nearby, as well as the accumulation of ice on the bridge railing.

The west falls are between Green Island and the National Research Council's property; the facility in the background belongs to the NRC. I took the remaining shots from the lookout beside it.

Views While Passing Over The Eastern Falls

Crossing over the bridge over the east channel, it's easy to get shots of the edge of the waterfalls. Most of the falls had a coating of ice, but there were the odd sections where the water was flowing freely.

I like what the mist of waterfalls do in coating the rocks and trees nearby. This is where the east channel meets Green Island, followed by views of the east falls from the island.

Taking In Rideau Falls On A Winter Day

Happy Easter!

On the way out of New Edinburgh, a stop at the Rideau Falls is always in order. This is a view of the Ottawa River and Gatineau on the far shore.

I've photographed the waterfalls before, but this was the first time in winter. This is the eastern channel. More from here over the next couple of days.

Strolling Back Towards The Main Gate

This is one last look back at Rideau Hall before I departed down the drive.

I liked the shape of this tree- one of the numerous ceremonial trees planted, as you can see in the second shot. Over the winter, the plaques identifying who planted them are buried under the snow.

I also decided to take a distant shot of the totem pole here on the property, as well as a closeup shot of the inukshuk. My final shot features one of the pedestrian entrances at the main gate- I liked the shape of the closed gate. Tomorrow I'm moving on to show you Rideau Falls, as they appear in winter.

Rideau Hall In A Much Colder Season

I finished yesterday's post with a view pretty much from where I'm facing with this shot- this looks towards Rideau Hall, which during the winter can be seen through the trees.

There were other visitors on the grounds while I was there, including a tour group that came up from the main gate. During the winter, tours are reserved in advance, and guides are otherwise indoors. Having had previously been inside, I stayed outside this time, photographing the building. The flag at the top is the governor general's flag, signifying that he's in residence. More from here tomorrow.

Paying A Winter Visit To Rideau Hall

Rideau Hall is the official residence of the Governor General, and the property, consisting of nearly eighty acres, is the most prominent place in New Edinburgh. A good portion of the land is open for the public to stroll. This open area on the west side is a cricket pitch in warmer seasons.

Looking the other way gives a view of the visitor centre.

And this is the rose garden, buried under snow when I was here.

Coming up out of the rose garden takes us to one of the driveways, as well as to some of the ceremonial trees planted on the property by various dignitaries over the decades.