The Changing River Through Seasons

I have a tradition of coming out to the Portage Bridge twice a month to photograph the Ottawa River as it flows downstream. I select a spot on the bridge where the border of Quebec and Ontario pass through, with Gatineau on the left and Ottawa on the right. Landmarks in these shots include the Alexandra Bridge, Kiweki Point, the National Gallery, Notre Dame, Parliament Hill, the Supreme Court, and Victoria Island.

I start off with this shot taken in mid-January on a snowy day. Due to the strong current coming downstream from the Chaudiere Falls, the Ottawa River does not fully freeze over for this stretch.

This was a few days later in the month.

I took this shot in the second half of February on a cold day.

Before the end of the month, I returned.

I was back here in early March.

Later in the month, the spring thaw was well underway, with the last of the ice down below Parliament Hill and Nepean Point. The river was turbulent.

When I next showed up a few days past mid-April, the turbulence continued.

A few days later, I returned again.

I came back in the first half of May, and this was the view.

Late in May, it was a moody day on the river.

I returned in the first half of June.

And to close out the post, here we are a few days ago, on the tail end of a hot spell. 

The Colonel And The Park In Season

 Up slope from the tulip beds, I took these shots looking back at them, here at the north end of Major's Hill Park.

I passed along the railing overlooking the Ottawa River, photographing more tulips.

That included some that I would imagine are left in the ground after they bloom, given their places among these plants.

More tulips are found around and behind the statue of Colonel John By. He was the British military engineer who oversaw the building of the Rideau Canal, which lies behind me, down at the base of the bluff. This statue looks out over his achievement. By is considered the founder of the city of Ottawa.

One last shot, looking down the length of tulips with the Colonel's statue at the far end. We'll return into the series following the theme day.

With The Tulip Paparazzi

 Continuing where I left off yesterday, more of these beautiful tulips in Major's Hill Park.

The Tulip Paparazzi were out and about. Notice the good dog in these shots.

I finish today with a shot of that dog relaxing while his human does the whole Tulip Paparazzi thing. I'll have a second take of this one later in the year for a theme day.

Tulips Within The Park

Back on the Ottawa side of the river, I stopped in Major's Hill Park, where tulips can be found. I start at the north end, with this colourful bed.

In the background, the American embassy.

This bed, along with another pair across the lawn, have as backdrops the National Gallery of Canada and Notre Dame Basilica.