Along The Ottawa Locks

 One day in the latter half of October, I stopped downtown to visit a few spots for fall photos. I got off a bus at Plaza Bridge, where I photographed the view southward towards the National Arts Centre, at right, with the Rideau Canal down to the left.

My first destination on this day was Major's Hill Park, on the east side of the Ottawa Locks, where the Canal descends to meet the Ottawa River. Parliament Hill is on the west side.

The steep slope of the Hill has a lot of trees, particularly photogenic in the fall.

The Bytown Museum lies down below. Its regular hours resume in the spring, I believe.

Across the wide expanse of the Ottawa River, we have Gatineau in Quebec. The great rise of the Gatineau Hills is in the background.

The Canadian Museum of History is also over there.

The park is close by, on the bluff at right.

Autumn Glories Around The Region

 Returning to my autumn series once more. As the shuttle from the Gatineau Hills was returning, it stopped long enough for me to take this shot in Gatineau.

Back on the Ottawa side of the river, I stopped by the War Museum for a late lunch. The trees across the street were bright red.

After lunch, I headed downtown. The Canadian Firefighters Memorial is near the War Museum, and some of the trees and bushes around it were at their peak. The Memorial includes the large statue of a firefighter, and a wall of names of firefighters who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

These colours are close to home.

One day I stopped by Lansdowne Park, where I photographed more fall colours at the east end of the property. There was a flea market going on.

Today I finish downtown with a sculptural pair I've always liked, standing out against fall colours. An Indigenous hunter crouches on this side of the property, reaching for an arrow and getting his bow ready. At the far side stands a deer, posed as if it has already heard him and is about to bolt.

Peace

 The Champlain Lookout is an ideal spot to spend time in, to let the wind blow in your face, and find some peace.

I descended to the lower area.

There is a hiking trail one can take as well.

I really needed this.

Views

 My first stop in Gatineau Park was at the Champlain Lookout. Here at the end of one of the parkways is the last of three lookout areas, and the most spectacular. The southern flank of the Gatineau Hills is called the Eardley Escarpment, where the heights of the park descend dramatically below to the valley floor. In the distance, the Ottawa River can be seen. On the far shore is the northwestern portion of the city of Ottawa- in fact countryside and small villages in this area. That is reflected on this side of the river, classic Quebec countryside of the Ottawa Valley.

There are a series of panels here explaining the geological history of the region.

I was here at just the right time.

I took a panoramic shot.

One more shot for today. I have more from this location over the next two days.