Changing Seasons Upon The Ottawa River

It is a tradition for me to come out to the Portage Bridge twice a month to photograph the view downstream on the Ottawa River through various seasons. I choose a spot that's roughly where the provincial border between Quebec and Ontario goes through. Gatineau is on the left, and landmarks in these shots include the Alexandra Bridge, Kiweki Point, the National Gallery, Notre Dame, Parliament Hill, and the Supreme Court. 

I start with this view taken early in March, when the ice was still downstream. The ice does not fully form here, as the water is too swift, but it builds up below the Hill.

Later in the month, on a similar sunny day, this was the view. You can see a difference a few days can make on the ice.

In April, for a number of reasons, I didn't get out here until mid-month. By then, the ice was gone and the river was running swift, swollen with spring run off.

Late in the month, this was how things looked on a brooding morning, with the river still swift and turbulent.

By mid-May, this was how things looked.

Towards the end of the month, another bright day.

Over the course of the summer, we had problems with smoke from forest fires drifting into the area from places not that far away, creating significant problems for breathing. You could smell the smoke, and see the haze caused by it. In the middle of June, this was the view.

Late in the months, things were clearer, on a brooding kind of day.

In the middle of July, I returned.

At the end of that month, I came at sunset. A rainbow was seen over the Hill.

In August, I didn't get out this way until the second half of the month. 

This was how things looked a few days later.

In the second half of September, I was back near sunset.

On the last day of that month, I returned in the morning.

Mid-October saw things looking like this.

Late in the month, I returned on a brooding kind of day. We'll do this again down the line.