The Sun Finally Sets Upon Another Year

I have a tradition of wrapping up the year with a series of sunset and twilight shots. And so here we have some from the last few months around the region.

This first shot dates to mid-July, with the late light of day disappearing behind an oncoming storm front as I walked through the north end of the Glebe en route home. 

One evening in August, I took this shot of the last light of day illuminating clouds to the south.

A few minutes later, I took this shot from the ridge along the east side of the stadium at Lansdowne Park. The sun had set in the west.

On an evening in the first half of September, I was back at Lansdowne, where among preparations for a music festival, I took this shot of the dusk sky against the stadium north stands and the Aberdeen Pavilion.

A short walk away, I took another shot.

Some days later, I took these two shots of Fourth Avenue Baptist Church in the Glebe at twilight, with the last light of day fading off to the west.

I took this shot on Remembrance Day in November just after leaving the War Museum. The sun was descending, and shining brilliantly through the trees on what had turned out to be a beautiful but cold day.

I took these in mid-December, a few minutes apart. The first includes an old farmhouse at center-right. Abbotsford House today is a senior's community center. A retirement home looms at right, while center-left is a building that houses a nursing home in the Glebe.

A few minutes passed by, and I was further along on the property at Lansdowne Park.

And just a bit further along, I took this shot of the Aberdeen Pavilion from the east.

I was downtown the weekend before Christmas; we'd had a bit of a warm spell that did a number on the snowpack, but got more snow after I took these shots. When I emerged into the late day, it was mostly clear, and I headed up to Parliament Hill for some final sunset shots. This looks towards West Block, with the setting sun behind it.

A look at Centre Block, partially hidden by scaffolding.

I headed for the area between the two blocks for my last two shots. This rise of land includes two statues- Prime Minister Lester Pearson sitting at left, and Queen Victoria at right.

A short walk beyond, a view of the Ottawa River, in the process of winter freeze up, and the last light of day. Happy New Year to you.

On The March

 I attended the national service at the War Memorial on Remembrance Day. Two days prior, a snowstorm had left snow around the city, and it was of course still here. My preferred spot for these days is a spot on the northwest corner of Confederation Square. During the vigil beforehand, while people gather, a member of each service- Army, Navy, Air Force, and Royal Canadian Mounted Police- stand at post at the corners of the War Memorial.

The pipes and drums lead the flag bearers and veterans in from Wellington Street, while the bulk of other marchers come in from their mustering point in the Cartier Square Drill Hall to the south.

Flag bearers are a mix of veterans and cadets.

The ceremony is deeply meaningful, with traditions like the 21 gun salute, the moment of silence, the laying of wreaths, music, recitation of appropriate verse from veterans in three languages, and remarks by military chaplains, including a benediction. Among those wreaths that are placed is one by the Silver Cross Mother- a tradition dating back a century, and this year with a mother whose son died in active duty in the Afghan War. The pipes and drums lead the way out for the veterans afterwards. Around eleven, what had started as an overcast day started to see some breakup in the clouds, with blue sky showing itself here and there.

Behind the veterans march active duty servicemen and women, both specific units and from each branch of the service locally, given that the capital is a headquarters city. It even includes the RCMP.

Remembrance Day

On the same day in October as my photos from the last three days, I stopped at the National War Memorial for autumn photos. This occupies the heart of Confederation Square, and is surrounded by landmarks like Parliament Hill, the Chateau Laurier, the Government Conference Center, the National Arts Centre, and the Chambers. Today, a national service is held for Remembrance Day, and I will be there. I am also marking the occasion today over at my writer's blog.

The Memorial, first dedicated to the fallen of the Great War, has since been rededicated to include those of the Second World War, Korean War, South African War, and Afghan War, as well as all those who have died in military service to the country. I moved along the perimeter, with fall colours in the trees to be found.

From April to today, during the day, members of the military services stand at post as guards, relieved each hour in a ceremony with great meaning and tradition. It is a tradition that has been going on for over a decade, and a good one to have.

March

On Remembrance Day, I came up to attend the national services at the War Memorial. I tend to prefer an area at the northwest corner of Confederation Square, and arrived early enough to get a spot by the barricades. I took this shot beforehand. 

As the lead-in for the ceremonies began, three members of the armed forces from each branch, as well as a Mountie, took posts at the four corners of the Memorial.

The pipes and drums led the way.

Veterans marched in after them.

The ceremony includes a 21 gun salute, the last post, the piper's lament, other music, and the reciting of the poem For The Fallen, in three languages- English, French, and an indigenous language.

During the ceremony wreaths are placed around the Memorial.

And then the march out begins. As before, the pipes and drums lead the way.

Followed by the flags.

And then the veterans, to the applause of the crowd.

Active service branches march out as well- army, navy, air force, as well as a number of specific regimental units.

This also includes the Mounties.

After a walk, I returned to photograph the wreaths.

A tradition that began when the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was first installed- the placing of poppies on the tomb.

And one last shot from here.