The Supreme Court

 One day earlier this month I stopped by the Supreme Court of Canada to photograph around the grounds.

A statue of Prime Minister Louis St. Laurent is placed here, looking east towards Parliament Hill. It is a deliberate placement- had he not gone into politics, this brilliant lawyer might have ended up a member of the Court.

The building is in the Art Deco style, lying to the west of the Parliamentary precinct.

Two statues out front are allegorical in nature, by Walter Allward.

I noticed a groundhog.

Out back, views of the Ottawa River.

Views From The High Ground

Here on Parliament Hill is the Summer Pavilion, a lovely structure for a break and taking in the views.

Nearby, a series of panels, and room for more. This is the Canadian Police And Peace Officers Memorial. Names are inscribed of officers who have fallen in the line of duty. Each September, there is a national service of remembrance here.

Here we see West Block. At present, the House of Commons is meeting inside.

There is a rise of land overlooking both Centre and West Block, the highest ground on the Hill. Queen Victoria has a statue here.

Nearby, another of our great prime ministers, Lester Pearson.

To the west, the Confederation and Justice Blocks, and the Supreme Court. 

And we finish with a statue of Prime Minister Robert Borden.

Portage

A reminder to members of City Daily Photo that the theme for the first of July is Water. 

Fitting that I'm here today, as my location for that theme day is going to be taken from the Portage Bridge. This bridge crosses the Ottawa River from Ottawa into Gatineau, coming out at the government Portage complex. Here at its end, there is a lovely bed of tulips that I seem to always have to myself when I drop by in May, when the city takes part in the Tulip Festival.

Off across from the formal bed, tulips grow in the grass. Evidence of the presence of squirrel gardeners doing their own work.

The Falls In Late Winter

It was time for a new header. This one dates to last May, taken in Commissioners Park during the Tulip Festival. 

A few days back, on the last day of the winter, I paid a visit to the Chaudiere Falls, where the Ottawa River meets a series of islands between Ottawa and Gatineau, and where the main channel tumbles down falls and cascades, a total height of fifteen meters and a total width of sixty meters. It is ringed by a ring dam which diverts for hydro purposes. 

The Chaudiere Bridge is immediately downstream. Also visible in the distance are the Portage Bridge and Parliament Hill.

I have not been up here in winter, albeit in late winter. Not everything was accessible, but enough was that it was worth the trip.

I was able to approach between two of the old industrial buildings.

Check out this video.

More from here tomorrow.