A Helicopter In The Square

I returned downtown on the last Saturday of Winterlude in February, late enough in the day for day and night shots, hoping for more ice sculptures, and got lucky. You'll recall when I started the Winterlude series, it was on the grounds of the National War Memorial, where displays had been set up to mark the centennial of the Royal Canadian Air Force. At that time, this ice sculpture had been wrapped up to protect it against the sun. I'd hoped to find it on full display, and sure enough, it was when I got here. A helicopter and tower had been created out of ice to commemorate the centennial, and you couldn't ask for a better spot. In the background here, the buildings include a set collectively known as The Chambers.

The helicopter blades on top appear to be lightweight plastic- an appropriate choice, as blades made of ice would have long since collapsed. It's a lesson learned in ice carving: large or long horizontal surfaces on sculptures will give way with the slightest breeze, but doing it this way kept the sculpture intact. Off in the background is the former main train station, now used as the government conference centre.

The Memorial and Chateau Laurier are seen beyond.

And Parliament Hill is seen here too in the fading light of the day.

The National Arts Centre in the background completes the various landmarks surrounding the Memorial. This place is known as Confederation Square, the very heart of the city, and the War Memorial is the heart of that square.