Within The Park

All good things must come to an end, and so today we bring my series on the Tulip Festival to a close, more than a month after I started. Walking east of the Museum of History, here at the entrance to Jacques Cartier Park in Gatineau, an oversized sculpture of the late Montreal Canadiens player Maurice "Rocket" Richard always greets the visitor. Seeing it reminds me of the late Birdman, a die hard Boston Bruins fan who'd commented on the Rocket when I featured him in a couple of previous posts. During the festival the Rocket has tulips behind him.

Coming down into the park itself, one finds large tulip beds overlooking the Ottawa River, with the Alexandria Bridge, the spires of Parliament Hill, and the curves of the museum in the background of these shots. Canada geese were strolling around on the lawn while I was there. In winter, of course, this park is one of the epicentres for Winterlude, turned into a snowy playground. What a difference a few months make. 

I hope you've enjoyed the series, and haven't overdosed on tulip colours.

Malak And His View

Carrying on down the path on the Museum's property takes us past this waterway, where the water from the fountains above descend towards the Ottawa River.

The path leads to this bed of tulips by the river, named for Malak Karsh, the landscape photographer and founder of the Tulip Festival. One of his most famous photographs was taken from this spot, with Parliament Hill and the Chateau Laurier prominent on the other side. This year there were two types of tulips in the bed. Nearby was a tulip in the brush, a reminder of a previous year- probably replanted by a squirrel.

Up At Nepean Point

Picking up where I left off yesterday, I went up behind the National Gallery to Nepean Point, on Easter Sunday. Views of both Ottawa and Gatineau are plentiful, with many of the landmarks to be seen on both sides of the Ottawa River. As you can see, there were still slabs of ice in the river that day, and we actually have more snow on the ground at present than we did that day. This place is a popular spot to come to on a sunny day, and is topped by a statue of Champlain; the explorer came up the Ottawa River in 1613.

Vantages And Vistas Over The Ottawa River

Looking west, this view shows the Ottawa River that forms the boundary between Ottawa and Gatineau; the ice was starting to break up.

Part of the ongoing work around Parliament Hill can be seen here; the West Block is having final touches done, while a new visitor centre and other infrastructure elements are being added between the West and Centre Blocks.

Another look up at one of the architectural elements by the clock faces; this is on the north side.

And looking north gives us another view of the river, as well as Gatineau on the opposite shore.

A Winter Playground Along The Ottawa River

Do we say Happy Leap Year Day? It sounds a bit of a jumble. Anyway, I'm marking the occasion over at my writer's blog with an image post.

This view in Jacques Cartier Park takes in the Ottawa River and Ottawa itself on the far side, with Parliament Hill standing out. The park featured more snow sculptures this year, as well as snow slides, and a stage area for performers. It is always busy here during Winterlude.

Costumed Characters Within The Park

While I was passing through the busy park, a trio of costumed people were attracting the attention of kids. They had the general look of porcupines- albeit with walking sticks or pouches. It was fun to watch them, and a bit of a challenge to photograph them.

Crossing The River And The Bridge

A couple of extra shots before leaving the Museum. It is possible to get behind the waterfall alongside the terrace to photograph Parliament Hill. It has been awhile since I've last done so.

Back at the top of the stairs, a look out at the grounds and the Ottawa River before departing.

Heading across the Alexandria Bridge back for Ottawa, I like incorporating the bridge into photographs, framing images of the city beyond.

In this case, that includes framing Nepean Point, and the statue of Champlain.

I finish with a view of a scene I can never get tired of photographing.