Tulips

We carry on now with the tulips where we left off yesterday.

I headed back to the main line of the tulips; the beds in the park tend to be at the east boundary, backed mainly by bushes, which makes for a good backdrop. We'll pick up here tomorrow.

 

History

 Continuing where I left off yesterday with this series of panels. The Liberation of the Netherlands deepened the bond between two countries. It was Canadians who were responsible for liberating most of that country, and the Dutch have never forgotten it. This is one positive outcome of that war- an enduring friendship across the ocean.

Leo Major took part in D-Day, landing at Juno Beach and fighting his way inland. A few days later he lost an eye, but that didn't stop him. He kept fighting through the war, and returned to service in the Korean War.

Charles Byce came from an Indigenous background. He enlisted in the war, fighting with bravery and tenacity, ending up one of the most decorated Indigenous soldiers in the country's history. 

George Chow enlisted and served as a gunner, fighting his way from Normandy all the way into Germany, spending years after the war in military service.

It was time to head back to the tulips. This shot is as good a reminder as any to members of City Daily Photo that the theme for June 1st is Shadows.

Some beds were further along than others.

There are a number of beds to the west of the main line of flowerbeds that tend to bloom earlier than the rest. I went over, and experimented a bit with camera settings as I went along.

Colours

More tulip beauty today.

I was on grass between two beds, and noticed the dog on the far side of this bed, being very patient. There were many dogs about during this walk. It is best to visit on weekdays; this weekend visit was very, very crowded.

In this part of the park are a series of historical panels looking at Canadian military service in the Second World War. This year marks the eightieth anniversary of the end of that war. Richard Rohmer served in the RCAF during that war as a fighter pilot, rising to the rank of Major-General during his time in service, and accomplishing many more things in his life along the way. 

Clarence Trimm tried enlisting before he came of age. When he reached 19, he was accepted, and fought as part of the Liberation of the Netherlands. He was mortally wounded, dying two weeks before the end of the war, and is buried in the Holten Canadian War Cemetery there.

Anne Goode signed up as well, joining the RCAF's entertainment unit, taking part in many shows for the troops. Following the war, she married Howard McNamara, an RCAF pilot who served in North Africa and the Italian campaign.

Dorothy Mulholland went to war as a nurse, landing on Juno Beach a few days after D-Day and spending months treating wounded soldiers through France, Belgium, and the Netherlands.

J. Guy Gauvreau rose through the officer's ranks, becoming the youngest brigadier-general in the Canadian Army upon being promoted for bravery and leadership during the Battle of Normandy. He was seriously wounded in the Netherlands, but survived the war and led a busy civilian life.

Festival

 The Canadian Tulip Festival takes place each May in Ottawa and Gatineau, with over a million tulips planted in the public gardens. That doesn't even count the private gardens one might have at home. The festival wraps up this coming Victoria Day Monday; I've been taking many photos and will be continuing to do so. 

The largest site for the tulips is Commissioners Park, where the Rideau Canal opens up into the reservoir Dow's Lake. I paid my first visit this past Sunday, and started photographing at the south end of the park, with homes in the background that are probably the most photographed homes in the city this time of year.

The Tulip Paparazzi was out in force.

The Falls

 Picking up where I left off yesterday, here we have more of the Chaudiere Falls, where the Ottawa River tumbles a total of fifteen metres along its long slope. It is sixty metres wide. Falling in here would be lethal.

Here in the park area, there are benches and Muskoka chairs. The sound of the falls is unexpectedly relaxing. I've found myself dozing in these chairs before. Take a look at more videos here and here.

Two final views up near the ring dam. Tomorrow we start looking at tulips.