From Winter Into Spring

These shots date to the latter part of March. I was passing through Major's Hill Park and decided I'd photograph in the area, and then return the following month for some comparisons. This looks across towards the Connaught Building and the Chateau Laurier.

I went over to the park railing for a view of Parliament Hill, with its slope snow covered down to the frozen Ottawa River.

Then I headed up to Nepean Point behind the National Gallery, which has splendid views of the Ottawa River, as well as both cities on the shore. This east view takes in the Macdonald-Cartier Bridge as it crosses between Gatineau and Ottawa. Weak spots in the ice can be seen.

This view looking north into Gatineau passes over the Alexandra Bridge. The Museum of History is over on its left side, while Jacques Cartier Park is at its right.

And this look back towards Parliament Hill includes the entrance of the Rideau Canal. 

Nepean Point is topped by a statue of Samuel de Champlain, who came up the Ottawa River in 1613.

On Easter Monday in April, I returned. The snow was largely gone. 

We were already at high waters at this point. The only snow you can see is in shady spots below Parliament Hill. The bike path along the river's edge was closed, with water running over it at a certain point. My Monday post will feature recent shots from the river at high crest, including down there where the path access ends.

I returned to Nepean Point, photographing the Hill from there.

There were more visitors around Champlain than during my March visit, in which I was alone up there with him.

The river was churning to the west, with swift waters coming downstream from the Chaudiere Falls.

Another spot of snow- in Jacques Cartier Park. It might seem odd, given that the park gets a lot of sunlight throughout the day. However, this area was used during Winterlude as a big winter playground, and I expect that the snow slides were left to melt on their own.

I finish with the view eastward along the river. Tomorrow we have some different seasonal transition photos.