Saturday, May 7, 2016

The Ottawa Locks

These first two shots date back to Easter Sunday, taken from Plaza Bridge, overlooking the Ottawa Locks where the Rideau Canal meets the Ottawa River. The Canal lies between Parliament Hill and the Chateau Laurier. Note how the snow was still on the slope below Parliament Hill, while the grass was showing on the east side of the Canal.


Here are the locks earlier this week. The Canal is filled, though the locks themselves at present are still empty. They'll be filled when the boating season opens up later this month.

40 comments:

  1. There's more green now but your trees still look rather bare. Your spring is off to a slow start!

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  2. That will take some time to pass all the locks.

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  3. Have you ridden through the locks? How long does it take? Such a feat on engineering for back in the day!

    Janis
    GDP

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  4. I've never seen the locks empty before William, so interesting to see how they look before filling up!

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  5. Some very cool photos, William...you won't see anything like that down this way.

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  6. @Kay: it was a weird April. Some trees are.starting to have buds and tiny leaves, while others do tend to be late.

    @Marianne: there are quite a lot of locks in this spot. It is a considerable climb.

    @Blogoratti: thank you!

    @Janis: I have not. I think it takes an hour.

    @Grace: it is, yes.

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  7. Great photos! I see a little greener in recent photos but trees in the back look like needing warmer temperature :-)

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  8. Beautiful photos, William! :)

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  9. The snow is gone now and soon it will be time for summer fun in your city.

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  10. Locks and canals are completely foreign but fascinating for this prairie boy.

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  11. @Lowell: no, but you've got gators!

    @Norma: thank you!

    @Tamago: we're now getting warmer temperatures, which should be good for the tulips. The early starting trees are starting to show, while many trees are still bare.

    @MB: they certainly are.

    @Linda: thank you!

    @Sharon: but starting with tulips first!

    @Red: this one has a whole lot of history- been here nearly two centuries now.

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  12. And I've been through those locks! 16 years old, rollin` on the river

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  13. Nice pix! Locks are so fascinating!

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  14. I love visiting the various locks around here. Would really enjoy seeing the ones you have photographed.

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  15. Nice shot William. I have never have seen locks so this is a first.

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  16. It is interesting to see the locks empty like that!

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  17. @Cloudia: they're quite a set.

    @Cheryl: thanks!

    @Lauren: I like seeing the similarities and differences of other canal systems.

    @Marleen: it was a few days ago, though on the weekends it tends to get busier down below- people going down along the river or to the Bytown Museum.

    @Bill: these are quite a regular sight to me.

    @Red: the boating season should be starting up on the Victoria Day weekend, barring any unforeseen difficulties.

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  18. The first shot of the locks is wonderful, a great sight with beautiful light.
    Overhere the boating season already started, I had to wait for a bridge two times this week. Thats only the start ... ;-)

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  19. A fotografia é tão magnífica que nos convida a passear pelas margens deste belo canal
    Um abraço amigo William

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  20. Excelentes fotografias e belo trabalho.
    Um abraço e bom fim de semana.
    http://andarilharar.blogspot.pt/

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  21. i just ask the hubby about where we have locks around here ... we have some in his old childhood neighborhood. thanks for getting the talking ball rolling. you have a great weekend!! ( ;

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  22. Interesting shots William, that's a great perspective...

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  23. Just came back from hiking along our local canal. Boat is already afloat.

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  24. definitely nothing i see here. :)

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  25. Nothing like this in none of the states where I have lived.

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  26. I love this spot. Been many times.

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  27. This canal is such a marvelous amenity for Ottawa.

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  28. @Jan: I think a great many boaters will be anxious for the season to get started here.

    @Gracita: thank you!

    @Francisco: thanks!

    @Beth: I do know there are some canals your way.

    @Geoff: thank you!

    @Revrunner: I think ours will be underway on the Victoria Day weekend.

    @Tex: one doesn't find much in the way of canals in Texas!

    @Mari: it's quite an engineering feat here.

    @Stefan: it is.

    @Jennifer: it's a lively area.

    @Jack: It definitely is.

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  29. Love the snow on one side and grass on the other photo. :)

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  30. Beautiful, beautiful photos !!

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  31. Winter and Spring together :)

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  32. Awesome takes.

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  33. @Debs: so do I.

    @Orvokki: thank you.

    @Linda: thanks!

    @Karl: I like that this time of year.

    @Carolann: thanks!

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