Landmarks In The Night

On Canada Day evening, I headed in the direction of Major's Hill Park to take in the fireworks. Music was being performed on Parliament Hill; this is the closest I got to the Hill all day, a block south along the Sparks Street pedestrian mall. In my experience it's just too crowded on the Hill on Canada Day, so I go elsewhere.

A short walk away, I paused to photograph the glass lantern of the National Arts Centre, lit up for the occasion.

I then headed up the street. This looks west along Wellington Street towards the Hill. Lots of police and paramedics were stationed in this area throughout the day and night responding as needed, which is typical on Canada Day.

The rest of these shots were taken after the fireworks, which I'll show tomorrow. Waiting on people to clear out of the park, I decided to take the chance to photograph Parliament Hill from Major's Hill Park. I often do so in daytime, but rarely at night, and the Peace Tower and the Library of Parliament loom like ghosts over the dark Ottawa River and Gatineau shoreline on the far side. I'll be using a second take of this for the Black theme day coming up in August.

The park was one of the settings for Canada Day concerts, and the music was still going on as I was heading away. Beach balls can be seen in the light here.

I decided to go in a bit of a roundabout route, coming to the National Gallery to photograph its lit glass tower. Hiding in the dark of the foreground is the sculpture Maman by Louise Bourgeois. I usually photograph the spider in daytime.

Some of Maman becomes more visible when photographed from the other side, silhouetted against Notre Dame Basilica across the street.

I headed over to catch the Basilica in evening conditions.

My last shot taken on Canada Day looks up Elgin Street towards the Peace Tower, with the Chambers on the left and the grounds of the War Memorial on the right. The downtown core was emptying out at this point, with many people taking to the waiting buses nearby.