Thursday, April 1, 2021

City Daily Photo Theme Day: April Fool

The first day of each month is a theme day for members of City Daily Photo, and for today that theme is appropriately April Fool. You can see how others are interpreting that theme right here.

This one was a tough one for me. I could have gone and sat in the visitor's gallery at Parliament and photographed the members of the House of Commons. No, wait, that's not possible, since in the age of Covid there won't be public visitations until at least the summer. I could have just taken the easy way out and took several selfies with me making faces. Believe me, I was tempted.

Then I remembered a solution. 

A Company Of Fools is a theatrical company that does Shakespeare in the park productions each year here in Ottawa and the surrounding area. Have a look at their website here. I've seen some of their productions at various parks, and it's a lot of fun. While it's not possible to photograph them at work at the moment (thanks a lot, Coronavirus), I decided to photograph one of their regular settings. Strathcona Park is in the Sandy Hill neighbourhood, overlooking the Rideau River.

This is a view of the park from high ground to the north, along Laurier Avenue.


There is an ornate fountain up here.


"What fools these mortals be." - Puck, A Midsummer Night's Dream

"God give them wisdom that have it, and those that are fools, let them use their talents." - Feste, Twelfth Night

"Better a witty fool than a foolish wit." - Feste, Twelfth Night

"The more fool, madonna, to mourn for your brother's soul being in heaven. Take away the fool, gentlemen."- Feste, Twelfth Night


Another look down into the park. It would be quite foolish to try to go down that slope. When I visited, it was a cold day in mid-March. There had been some snowmelt, but the downturn in temperatures had created some icy conditions. Standing up here I heard the familiar honking of Canada geese; the first of the season, coming back from warmer climates and taking a break here.


I took the road on the west side of the park to come in. Range Road is home to several embassies and ambassador's residences. This view looks north to the high ground I came down from. There's a building up there through the trees with just a flash of blue; we'll get a look at it tomorrow.


This is one of the features of the park, a mix of architectural elements called a folly, designed as a play space by an artist, Stephen Braithwaite. The Company of Fools has used this in their productions.


I moved along, wanting to photograph the river. I noticed several geese in the park, including this pair close to me. One was sizing me up.


A look at the river. The Vanier neighbourhood is on the east shore of the Rideau River, which roughly parallels the course of the Rideau Canal to the west, meeting its end downstream from here where it joins the Ottawa River.


There was significant ice break up in this area. The river is shallow here.


This view upstream takes in a bridge we'll get a closer look at in a couple of days.


I headed in that direction, first looking west. Because of the freeze up of meltwater, a large enough area ended up creating a spot for skating, and some people were doing just that.


My last shot: a male and female pair of ducks near the retaining wall overlooking the river. Tomorrow we'll look at some of the landmarks in this area. I took shots of them before coming down into the park.

36 comments:

  1. Beautiful sculpture and snowy landscapes.

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  2. Looking rather chilly! In better times there are regular performances of Shakespeare's plays in the setting of the Cambridge University's courtyards and gardens.

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  3. Nice environment there. I like your second photo of the fountain with that beautifully lit sculpture

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  4. I think many politicians around the world are considered fools...and it can be also true! LOL!

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  5. Hello,

    Lovely views, the sculptures are beautiful. Happy April! Take care, have a great day!

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  6. We´re no fools, not even today, we see the beauty.

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  7. Fools and Ottawa seem to be synergistic, William. Too bad it extends well beyond April Fools day!

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  8. Pretty scenes!
    Have a wonderful day!

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  9. ...snow was the forecast for today, the sun is shining! No April Fools here!

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  10. @Nancy: thank you.

    @John: I've attended productions by the Company.

    @Jan: it's quite a fountain.

    @Italiafinlandia: our current provincial premier is a good example. A dumbass from a whole family of vile, repugnant dumbasses.

    @Eileen: thank you.

    @Iris: it's a pretty park.

    @David: quite true.

    @Lea: thank you.

    @Tom: some still in our forecast.

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  11. The most literate post of the day.

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  12. Wonderful scenic photos ~ lovely sculptures and great ducks ~ Happy Day to you ~ Xo

    Living moment to moment,

    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  13. I found it to be a hard theme too. You did well!

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  14. What a great place for outdoor theater.

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  15. Love the folly you discovered Williams really so perfect for a bit of Shakespeare's Mid Summers Night Dream 😉

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  16. You did great on your theme William. I always enjoy your photos, these are lovely!

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  17. What a clever connection to the photo theme. Well conceived! It looks like a lovely spot for Shakespeare. I hope they can have a season this year.

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  18. Lovely photos. Difficult theme, you chose well.

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  19. @Bob: it seemed appropriate.

    @Magiceye: thank you!

    @Carol: thanks!

    @RedPat: once I had the idea it came together.

    @Sharon: that it is.

    @Grace: definitely.

    @Denise: thank you.

    @Jeanie: hopefully.

    @Maywyn: thank you.

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  20. That was a tough theme. You did well.

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  21. Well done, William. A wonderful theme post!

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  22. Very good theme interpretation and beautiful photos.

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  23. I agree that it was a tough one, but you came through with bells on! Figuratively speaking, of course. :-)

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  24. What a wonderful setting for an outdoor theatre production:)

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  25. Too bad you couldn't get into Parliament and take of few pics of the clowns there.
    MB

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  26. Blue sky above and at least some signs of open water below--spring is on its way.

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  27. Very creative way to handle April Fool's Day. I suppose you could have went to a cathedral for Holy Thursday, but you don't care about staying warm like the rest of us mortals.:)

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  28. @Marie: thanks!

    @Bill: thank you.

    @Denton: thanks!

    @DJan: I tried!

    @Rosie: that it is.

    @MB: no chance now.

    @Happyone: thanks!

    @Revrunner: some days more than others.

    @Eve: I think the churches that are open right now because of Covid restrictions are doing limited stuff this Holy Week.

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  29. Your post is wonderful, and I like your thinking on this it's perfect, and your quotes are so witty and enjoyable and compliment this theme, as do your lovely photos! What a great place to roam about, even from here!

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  30. Thank you for an interesting April Fool joke post.

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  31. no real jokes happened around here. i always hope for some great ones on that fools day. lol!! ( ;

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  32. As always William your landscapes are just divine. Oh to be able to walk into that snow..

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  33. I'm not use to so much snow, strange to see a frozen fountain.

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  34. @Karen: thank you.

    @Joanne: you're welcome.

    @Beth: I try to avoid social media on April 1st!

    @Gemel: thank you.

    @Amy: we get a lot.

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