Sunday, April 2, 2023

Sightings Around The National Capital Region

 I have some odds and ends today. I start with this sunrise view over the Rideau Canal, taken from the Bank Street Bridge, early in March.


Some days later while in the Little Italy neighbourhood, I looked down into a rock cut from an overhead bridge. A commuter train track- currently under reconfiguration- runs through here. The amount of ice clinging to the rock wall caught my eye.


And a few days later we had some freezing rain. I tried my hand at photographing the ice clinging to branches of these bushes along a house in Centretown.


Later that same day, I was in the Byward Market, passing through the series of courtyards one finds here.


There is some art hung in the courtyards- reproductions of the originals, I would think, since you wouldn't hang art in the elements. These are by indigenous artists, starting with Mi'kmaq Universe by Teresa Marshall.


The Time Is Now,  And Yesterday, And Tomorrow is by Christian Chapman.


And this is Dancing Bear, which I've shown you before, by the Inuit sculptor Pauta Saila. It occupies the heart of this courtyard, and always gets a smile out of me. We'll see another work by Saila, in a smaller form, down the line, but in a place close to here.


Closing in on my destination, I came across this fellow outside the Silver Fox, a barbershop.


Here we have Notre Dame Basilica, the most prominent church in the city. I was going into its neighbour across the road for a visit- the National Gallery of Canada. Note the bike racks- this was on the first day of the presidential visit in late March, and getting out of here was more complicated than getting in.


Hours later, fog had rolled in, and it really looked appropriate for the church. My preferred exit route was closed because of the security arrangements for the visit, and I had to detour from here on foot.


I conclude with another courtyard view in the Market, taken that night, while making my way to catch the LRT and get past some of the proverbial gridlock in the core because of the visit. The fog added the right element to things.

56 comments:

  1. What delightful art! Especially the dancing bear is very sweet. It speaks of the indigenous relationship to the animals as friends in my mind. Your weather shots are adequate, particularly the canal

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  2. A wonderful collection of bits and bobs. I bet that dancing bear is popular with children - it's popular with me anyway!

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  3. An enjoyable collection of photos from the sunrise to the fog. Dancing bear is always a favourite though.

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  4. Love the art and especially the fog.

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  5. I really like that dancing bear and that figure on the doorstep of the hairdresser.

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    1. The name of the place is apt- I spoke with the owner a couple of months back, and the guy has a full head of silver hair.

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  6. Hello,
    Great collection of photos. I love the art and sculptures. Pretty views of the canal and the church in the fog.
    Take care, have a wonderful week!

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  7. Nice arts along your walk. The church looks mystic in the mist.

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  8. Only a mad photographer in Ottawa would be out in freezing rain taking pictures!

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    1. It actually wasn't bad. The sidewalks didn't have that slippery quality going on that you usually associate with freezing rain.

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  9. ...the Dancing Bear grabbed my attention.

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  10. Schöne Bilder von der Basilika sieht noch nicht nach Frühling aus bei euch.

    Gruß
    Noke

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  11. I really enjoyed this ramble around Ottawa, William. I love that city!

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  12. Love Dancing Bear. And the fog looks perfect for your shots.

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  13. Lovely series of photos ~ fog ones are awesome ~

    Wishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  14. I love that art and the dancing bear.

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  15. It may be called the Silver Fox, but no way that dapper cat figure is a fox!

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    1. In profile, more a fox, but definitely a dapper fellow.

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  16. Great night photos in the fog. We are fortunate that we have very few massive security closures in this country.

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  17. La segunda fotografía, me impresiona. por la cantidad de nieve que hay acumulada.

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  18. Wow! That is quite a chunk of ice on the wall.
    Great pictures, the foggy night scenes look festive.

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  19. Thanks for leading the City tour -- I enjoyed it and didn't even need to wear my winter coat ))... in this post the bear looks like he might be ice skating rather than dancing but if the sun was shining outside and it was summer, then dancing for sure!

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  20. Love the fog look on the church. Dancing Bear is a winner! Great shots, William.

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  21. Wow that is some thick ice on the rock.

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    Replies
    1. When I was down that way around the middle of the week, that ice had collapsed from the wall.

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  22. Oh thank you this was a fun trip to run through, so many exciting and lovely things to see in your beautiful city. Thank you for sharing these moments!

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  23. The indigenous art is cool but I like the barber shop guy best. Thought of you Saturday when I saw an adult coloring book of the Group of Seven. I was surprised to see that in Michigan!

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  24. A fabulous collection of moments here.

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  25. A nice collection here.
    I like the Dancing Bear and the Silver Fox.

    All the best Jan

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  26. The fog gives wonderful atmosphere.

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