Saturday, June 10, 2017

Spring Colour At Rideau Hall

On the last day of the Tulip Festival, May 22nd, I headed up to New Edinburgh to pay a visit to Rideau Hall in search of tulips. This is the official residence of the Governor General of Canada, and it was a cloudy day on the nearly eighty acres of land here. I was quite surprised to see trilliums in a shady spot- the flower, which blooms for just a few weeks, is Ontario's provincial flower.


And there were tulips, in this case growing in the grass. 


On my way out, I paused to photograph this totem pole. I've shown it before in the blog; my photograph of it previously is now on the cover of the magazine Canada's History, which has a special essay issue out at the moment in addition to its regular issue. The totem pole is part of a collage of images making up the cover. 


And this is the cover itself, taken in a shop a couple of days ago.


The spring blooms on this tree caught my eye as I walked through the grounds. It's an Ohio Buckeye, a rarity here, as its usual range tends to be to the south of the Great Lakes. It is one of the numerous ceremonial trees planted on the grounds by various dignitaries for more than a century; this one was planted by Miguel Angel Rodriguez Echevarria, the President of Costa Rica, in 2000.


I found more tulips on my way out, including at the gatehouse.


Moving on, I stopped in at the park around Green Island to visit the Rideau Falls, which we'll look at tomorrow. The French embassy and the pavilion that border the east side of the park and falls were looking gloomy under those skies.

28 comments:

  1. Lovely totem pole and flowers.

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  2. Beautiful Totem pole, Congratulations on the cover.

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  3. You certainly do get around, William. Congratulations on your cover art (a collector's issue, no less!).

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  4. I'm impressed with your extensive knowledge of Canadian flora! And that totem pole is magnificent! You should be very proud that your photo of it was used on the magazine. Kudos to you!

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  5. Hello, pretty collection of flowers. I love the totem pole too. Happy Saturday! Wishing you a happy weekend!

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  6. @Linda: thanks!

    @Maywyn: it was a surprise.

    @Kay: I was pleased.

    @Lowell: thanks!

    @Tom: so do I.

    @Eileen: thank you.

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  7. Congratulations on having your photo chosen for the magazine cover.

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  8. I do love the Trilliums---they grow in the woods here in very early Spring. It sure does look like a cloudy and gray day---like ours today.
    MB

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  9. I love the totem pole, great to see it on that magazine!

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  10. I love the totem pole too but I always enjoy every photo. Thanks again William :)

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    1. That is so cool that your photo is on the magazine cover.

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  11. makes me wanna read the article... curious ( :

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  12. @RedPat: both areas are!

    @Red: I rather liked the surprise. I wonder how they found it!

    @Sharon: it's quite a distinctive one.

    @Cloudia: you're welcome.

    @Marleen: it is, yes.

    @Denise: you're welcome!

    @Beth: Looking at the other images on the cover, I imagine it's thematic. I've picked up the magazine- just haven't read through yet. Thematically speaking, the essay on reconciliation would fit in, given that one of our preoccupations these days is reconciling the past regarding the treatment of our First Nations people. There was an announcement this week that I thought was positive, and may be a good legacy project for this anniversary year- an Indigenous Center across from Parliament Hill, housed in the building where the American embassy was for many years.

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  13. The totem pole is pretty impressive. Congrats on having it on the magazine cover.

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  14. All good things must come to an end. Yes, that is a great totem pole.

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  15. Haven't seen a totom pole for ages...Coffee is on

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  16. Just to let you know 'Stache cat has a twin named half-stache. They look alike except half has--you guessed it--only half a mustache.
    MB

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  17. The totem pole is wonderful.
    It's always nice to see your photos.

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  18. The Ohio Buckeye tree is lovely William and the tree in the last shot.

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  19. "I paused to photograph this totem pole. I've shown it before in the blog; my photograph of it previously is now on the cover of the magazine Canada's History, which has a special essay issue out at the moment in addition to its regular issue. The totem pole is part of a collage of images making up the cover."

    Well done to you William, I think it is a special looking totem pole too.

    All the best Jan

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  20. Beautiful! I really ought to visit someday. Soon. Or just enjoy your posts!!!

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  21. I really like the totem pole....

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  22. It's cool to have photo on the cover. Congrats :-)

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  23. @Bill: it was a welcome surprise.

    @Mari: it certainly is.

    @Dora: this is a good one.

    @MB: good name!

    @Orvokki: thanks!

    @Grace: thank you!

    @Jan: thanks!

    @Jennifer: it's a pleasure to show.

    @Norma: so do I.

    @Klara: I liked hearing the news.

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