Monday, April 2, 2018

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.

31 comments:

  1. ...I hope that The Old City Registry Office get a new life!

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  2. Nice collection of odds and ends! Have a happy day!

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  3. Wow, so much to see and I appreciate your descriptions of the various buildings, places and installations. You still have that much snow?

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  4. Wow ! you have more then enough snow for Easter ! Maybe it will be warm at Christmas !

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  5. It looks so different when the sun shines. The kitty has the right idea.

    Janis
    GDP

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  6. I hope that they can find a use for the old registry building..It is very pretty.

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  7. The inscribed flowers are very nice!

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  8. Belas fotografias.
    Desconhecia por completo o Mabon e gostei bastante da oração.
    Um abraço e boa semana.

    Andarilhar
    Dedais de Francisco e Idalisa
    Livros-Autografados

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  9. Wonderful, I like Ottawa under the clear blue sky with that fine layer of snow.

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  10. @Tom: I have been inside it once. There is potential there.

    @Nancy: thank you.

    @Lowell: not now. Most of the snow that is left is in shady areas. We had some rain last week that depleted a lot of it.

    @Gattina: well these shots were taken some days ago, and conditions have changed.

    @Janis: the cat had a zen thing happening.

    @Janey: it has character.

    @Marie: when I photographed that, the identifying plaques were snowbound. I imagine that's not the case now.

    @Marleen: they are!

    @Francisco: thanks!

    @Jan: we had a decent winter.

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  11. A good city is made up of numerous infrastructures and facilities. If they are embellished with designs and art so much the better.

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  12. I love that bunny! I'm fine with the background haha :-)
    And such a cute kitty at the window. Kitties are supreme life form indeed!

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  13. Goodness you live in a beautiful city. If it wasn't for the snow I might like to live there. I like the snow but my body does not.
    Can not wait to see the artwork in the underpass.
    Bunny and kitty are lovely.

    cheers, parsnip

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  14. I like the inscribed flowers. Saw quite a number of interesting bits and bobs on your walk.

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  15. Nice light, esp the tunnel one with the gleams! I like the kitty at end, William

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  16. I see so much of our capital on your blog, William!

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  17. Nice scenes and photos, William. The kitty is pretty and nice to see.

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  18. @Red: it is a good use of the space.

    @Tamago: I won't complain about the background!

    @Parsnip: I can't resist a cat.

    @Fun60: I am one for taking a walk.

    @Cloudia: that cat was relaxed.

    @RedPat: and yet there are places I rarely get to.

    @Bill: sunshine suits a cat.

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  19. I particularly like the idea of having flowers from the different provinces inscribed on the walls.

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  20. Cats sure have you wrapped around their furry little paws!

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  21. It looks like winter is starting to fade. And I'll bet that kitty wouldn't mind more spring sunshine in its window.

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  22. Love the bunny and kitty warming itself in the sun ~ lovely wintry series of photos!

    Happy Days,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  23. This is a very nice collection of odds and ends ...

    All the best Jan

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  24. Quite a collection. Loved the Old City Registry.

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  25. aww, love the cat. i enjoy the bench flowers ... very creative. ( ;

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  26. Will be nice to see those gardens in bloom, someday...lol

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  27. Neat photos. You get to places I'll never go! Thank you for that.
    Our vet has a three-legged cat in residence!

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  28. @Rosemary: so do I.

    @Jeanie: me too!

    @Norma: cats rule!

    @Kay: spring is taking its sweet time.

    @Carol: thank you!

    @Jan: thanks!

    @Mari: so do I.

    @Beth: they are indeed.

    @Jenn: I'll be photogaphing them during the tulip festival.

    @Jennifer: you're welcome.

    @Klara: thanks!

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