Odds And Ends In The National Capital

I have some odds and ends today. I'm starting with this bunny installation that was in place in the Rideau Centre- appropriate for Easter. Though the Victoria's Secret store in the background might not be. 

One Sunday in the latter part of March I went for a walk and passed through the Garden of the Provinces and Territories, which stands across from Library and Archives Canada. The garden, a combination of flower beds, terraces, and water features, is dormant this time of year. Flowers of the provinces and territories are inscribed in places on the terrace walls.

This pedestrian underpass is mostly quiet this time of year, but is part of the extensive network of paths in the city. It's close to the Ottawa River and Portage Bridge, and happens to be housing a number of works of art, which we'll look at tomorrow.

Nearby I stopped at the Canadian Firefighters Memorial. A fire pole and large statue of a firefighter face a wall inscribed with the names of Canadian firefighters who have died in the line of duty or of illnesses as a result of their service. In the background of this shot, one can see the National Holocaust Monument at the left, and the familiar dark spike roofline of the Canadian War Museum at the right.

Heading back, I paused by this building. The Fleet Street Pumping Station dates to 1875, harnessing hydraulic power. A diverted channel of the Ottawa River flows inside, coming out below where I was photographing. 

Here's that channel heading back out towards a nearby rendezvous with the rest of the river. The water was open, and this area has been set up for white water kayaking- in warmer weather, of course. Note the bare spots on the slope in the background- a typical feature at the end of winter here is that south facing slopes tend to lose their snow before the rest of the snow goes.

The Old City Registry Office dates to 1873-74, and stands across from Arts Court downtown- a fitting location, because Arts Court was the courthouse at the time, and Carleton County Gaol was right beside it. We'll have a look at those two buildings in a few days. The structure is vacant at present, but deserves to see some use- something for the city to seriously get going on.

I finish with this particular supreme life form of the planet. A vet's office in the Glebe has a couple of cats in residence. This one was taking advantage of afternoon sun in the front windows.