Saturday, April 28, 2018

The River From The Heights

I wanted comparison shots of the Ottawa River from winter into spring, and happened to be up on Parliament Hill one afternoon in mid-March. This view looks towards Gatineau. Ice was starting to break up beneath Nepean Point and the Alexandra Bridge.


Coming west gives us a view upstream, where the water was working on breaking up the ice. There is always a channel of the river open through the winter passing beneath the Portage Bridge, which can be seen at the main channel illuminated by the sun. As winter ends, that channel of water wears away at the ice downstream.


A shift in perspective gives us the Ottawa shoreline beneath the Hill, with the Supreme Court looming over the river.


And this is a view back to where we started, showing the dark waters making more progress against that ice.


Now then, for a contrast, here are more recent shots, taken a week ago yesterday, late in the afternoon. I started at the Summer Pavilion, both outside and inside.


Then I moved along the pathway to take in views of the bridge, Nepean Point, and the National Gallery of Canada. The ice was gone, and the remaining snow was in shaded spots. Tomorrow I'll show you the view from over at Nepean Point.

32 comments:

  1. Love that last shot. Pretty soon everything will be turning green and become ever more beautiful!

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  2. ...number 2 is a showstopper.

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  3. It doesn’t take long once the thaw starts! Such a pretty area!

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  4. What a change of season we get and these pics really show it, William!

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  5. gorgeous sunny glow ... love the sun. wish it was nicer to my skin though. ( ;

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  6. The water is flowing nicely and soon the banks will be bright green!

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  7. They are all beautiful photos. I'm glad you are warming up now.

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  8. @Lowell: thank you.

    @Marianne: thanks.

    @Tom: I thought so.

    @Marie: that's true.

    @RedPat: they do indeed.

    @Beth: no sun today.

    @Sharon: very soon.

    @Mildred: thanks!

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  9. Really like the shot from the pavilion which frames the photo.

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  10. At last winter is over and spring has arrived! Beautiful series!

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  11. Nice to see something besides snow!

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  12. All the photos are beautiful but especially loved the second, it is spectacular.
    Have a nice weekend
    Greetings
    Maria from
    Divagar Sobre Tudo um Pouco

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  13. Your before and after shots are very interesting to see William

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  14. It's just a little brighter in spring!!!

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  15. The second photo is stunning!

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  16. @Red: so did I.

    @Nancy: it's more springlike today- even with some rain this morning.

    @Norma: it was time for spring.

    @Maria: it's been popular.

    @Rosemary: thank you!

    @Jennifer: true!

    @Bill: thanks!

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  17. First view is really breathtaking!

    Janis
    GDP

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  18. Great 'birdseye' view photos ~


    Happy Weekend to you,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  19. Fabulous views from Parliament Hill...
    My favourite is picture number two.

    Enjoy your weekend.

    All the best Jan

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  20. I specially like the shots with the changing view of the bridge.

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  21. Some great photography in those shots, William.

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  22. The blue skies look so appealing. I'll bet the winter browns in your landscape will soon be turning green.

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  23. Great to see those contrasting shots. Very beautiful from up there.

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  24. Great light in these. Love the sunburst!

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  25. It's such a pretty area it looks good in any weather William. Love the ice breaking up shots!

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  26. Image number 3 and 6 are just beautiful.

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  27. William, that shot from the porch with the backlighting is just extra lovely!

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  28. @Janis: thank you.

    @Carol: thanks!

    @Jan: thank you.

    @Jan: so do I.

    @Mari: thanks.

    @Kay: it doesn't take long.

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  29. @Denise: thanks!

    @Linda: so do I.

    @Francisco: thanks!

    @Grace: I do as well.

    @Gunn: thanks!

    @Klara: so do I.

    @Jeanie: I agree.

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