It Was A Foggy Day In Ottawa Town

I take the title for this post by adapting this old standard, which seems appropriate.

Earlier in the month, I left home early and noticed mist off in the distance. I decided to head up to the nearby Ottawa River. When we see fog here, it's often over the rivers or the Rideau Canal, while the sky above might be blue. This view looked west along Queen Street as I was on my way.

I came up to the grounds around the Supreme Court. The fog was thick, as you can see in this view looking east. The buildings are the Justice and Confederation Blocks of Parliament, which neighbour the Court as part of the Parliamentary precinct. The West Block is barely visible in the mist.

Behind the Court, there is an overlook on the Ottawa River. These views take in the Ottawa shore. The river is barely noticeable.

I photographed across at the Gatineau shore. The island down below is in mid stream, so the provincial boundary would be down there. In high water conditions of spring, the island is often underwater. This time of year it's home to hardy shrubs that manage to survive the deluge.

Looking west gave a bit of a hint of blue.

But looking east, just more of that thick fog. It didn't last, mind you- had you been standing here an hour later it would have been gone.

I started to take my leave. This view features the Court and the Confederation and Justice Blocks beyond.

Coming around the front of the Court, I paused to photograph some more. Two statues flank the staircases up to the entrance, done by Walter Allward, the sculptor who designed the Vimy Ridge Memorial. Truth (Veritas) and Justice (Ivstitia) are their titles. This one is the latter, on the east side, a cloaked and hooded figure looming over the visitor.

This perspective of Justice will be familiar to any Canadian news viewer, as it is typical when an item about a Court decision is on the news for this angle to be filmed. On this morning, the fog was enough to hide everything beyond the West Block. Otherwise you'd see the Peace Tower and Centre Block from these steps.

Out on the front lawn, I wished a good morning to two Canada geese.

And I finished with this view of the Court, an Art Deco jewel, standing out well against the mist.