Monday, May 2, 2016

Springtime Views In The Capital

Some spring shots today. I was up on Parliament Hill to photograph the tulip beds in progress, and there were a number of people in kilts and tartans on the lawn. Apparently there's a National Tartan Day that I didn't know about. The only time I've worn tartans was a vest as part of the wedding party for a friend at a traditional Scottish wedding. Fortunately he didn't ask any of the groomsmen to wear a kilt.


These small flowers always bloom first here in Ottawa over a week or two- these are in Central Park in the Glebe.


And these views are taken from Major's Hill Park on a pleasant day. Oddly we've had cooler days since I've taken these shots.

33 comments:

  1. Lovely photos, William, and I really like the kilts and tartans in the Scottish wedding. :)

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  2. Ottawa is beautiful and now, in spring, much more.

    Tomás.

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  3. Very impressive building in the 1st pic. I like the Scottish kilts and tartans.

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  4. Nice to see the tartans and kilts, You Canadians are still a bit British, or Scots.

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  5. We have those lovely blue flowers in our garden.
    It's still looking rather cold in Ottawa.

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  6. Overall a very pleasant environment. I'd like cooler days. It's going to be 92F here today! If anyone told me I had to wear a kilt, that person would likely be kilt!

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  7. Oh come on William.. you're nice and tall, I bet you would look fab in a kilt!

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  8. Seriously? You've never work a kilt? Bony knees, huh?

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  9. I've seen several of those kilt and bagpipe bands, and some are really good. I like to watch the drummers who twirl those sticks. Good post.

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  10. Early spring with some green grass and leafless trees makes for a good contrast. Throw in a few tartans ad it brightens things up.

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  11. @Linda: tartans are pretty colourful!

    @Tomas: and more spring stuff to come!

    @Nancy: the Parliament buildings always are impressive.

    @Marianne: there's still a strong influence from all corners of Britain.

    @Jan: some days are warmer than others this time of year.

    @Lowell: we had rain yesterday- I'm hoping it's done with!

    @Grace: thou shalt never see me in a kilt!

    @Norma: they are kind of bony.

    @Linda: I do like the bagpipes. Apparently after I left the Hill, there was a ceremony.

    @Red: it does!

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  12. At the party I was at Saturday night I saw one gentleman in full Scottish garb, kilt, jacket, kilt hose and sporran. He was beautifully attired.

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  13. Those blue flowers are very pretty! There is Scottish themed restaurant near our home. Men working there wear kilt as uniform :-)

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  14. Love the flowers, can't wait for the tulips!

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  15. Nature is ready to burst out! The blue flowers are very pretty.

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  16. Spring looks like it is happening.

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  17. The blue flowers are scilla. The tulips are going to be cold when they open unless our weather changes soon!

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  18. There was definitely hints of spring there that day. I do wish it would warm up more don't you?

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  19. National Tartan Day.
    Do you have one?

    Janis
    GDP

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  20. @Sharon: there's a Scots festival in a small town near here each summer. I should really go down sometime.

    @Tamago: that makes sense!

    @Halcyon: I'm eager to get a few days worth of shots in the bag!

    @Marleen: I think so too.

    @Bill: very gradually!

    @RedPat: ah, that's what they are!

    @Pamela: it seems slow to do so.

    @Janis: I still have the vest, somewhere!

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  21. National Tartan Day, who knew....I have worm a kilt once whilst photographing in Scotland...very comfortable I have to say...

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  22. gorgeous blooms. i love the shots through the trees. nice!! ( :

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  23. Very nice photos William! It amazes me that people deny that the climate is changing, when it is happening right in front of them.
    Wearing a kilt is something I haven't experienced yet.

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  24. I presume there is a reason you said "fortunately." Love the blue flowers.

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  25. I don't think I've ever known a man in a kilt! The flowers you show are very pretty. I'm hoping our weather doesn't turn cold again like yours. I planted my summer garden last weekend...a bit early but the weather's been warmer.

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  26. I have those little blue flowers too, here in my garden in Norway. They are very pretty, and were surrounded by snow last week for a day or two.

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  27. @Geoff: I would be concerned by air currents!

    @Beth: thanks!

    @Pat: it amazes me too.

    @Cloudia: oh boy!

    @Mari: I do too.

    @Joan: it's a good idea.

    @Kay: I just hope things warm up!

    @Gunn: they're quite a sight to see.

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  28. Lovely views - the spring is arrived.

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  29. You got away easy, only wearing the vest part.

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    Replies
    1. If it had been required, I'd have gone with the kilt- and made sure no photographs were taken!

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