Autumn Splendour

 My path on this day took me back to the area around Confederation Square, the very heart of the city. Trees were in fall colour mode on the grounds of the National Arts Centre, while Canada geese had lunch in the grass.

I continued on my way. At one side of the NAC, below a wall with changing leaf colours, is a larger than life statue of the great Canadian jazz composer and pianist, Oscar Peterson. His music plays from speakers up on the wall.

I headed down to Confederation Park, where this fountain was on.

The park has a number of monuments, and the oldest and newest stand together.

The newest is for animals in war, characterized by a life sized German shepherd, with three accompanying plaques. Beside it is the oldest- a cenotaph commemorating local veterans of the South African War.

It was a nice day to be out and about.

The largest monument here is at the west end, facing the Lord Elgin Hotel across the street. The National Aboriginal Veterans Monument is dedicated to indigenous warriors from across the country's history. On top of a large stone are four warriors, with a wolf, elk, bison, and bear around them, and an eagle at the top.

Tomorrow we'll wrap up the fall series, going back up the street to the heart of Confederation Square- the National War Memorial, just in time for Remembrance Day.

Music Beneath The Bridge

 September 26th was the date of a big party downtown, marking the bicentennial of Ottawa. What became the city dates back to 1826 and the beginning of the Rideau Canal project. The city put on multiple events in an area ranging from City Hall up through the Byward Market. I was able to get to some of it. My first stop was at Plaza Bridge, which spans the Rideau Canal as it begins its descent down to the Ottawa River. The space beneath the bridge, alongside the Canal, is wide and ideal for acoustics. A company called SoundScape put together music beneath the bridge for the occasion, with blues and purples projected within the space. When I arrived, Indigenous music was being played. When I later left the area, it was definitely East Coast Atlantic music.

The line was long, and I decided to go back up and photograph from above. I paused to take a shot of the nearby War Memorial, dramatic at night.

There is a wide central staircase leading down into the underside of Plaza Bridge. It turned out to be a good way to frame the coloured lighting down below. A careful eye might pick out busts and statues ringing this staircase at street level. They are The Valiants- Canadian military figures from across our history.

A Memorial

 Confederation Square is the very heart of the city, and at its heart is the National War Memorial. It is surrounded by landmarks like the Chambers and Parliament Hill to the west, and the National Arts Centre, Government Conference Centre, and Chateau Laurier to the east. On a hot day in May, I approached from the south, where this traffic island was occupied with tulips.

 There are tulips on the grounds of the Memorial, which was first built to honour the dead of the Great War, and then dedicated months before the outbreak of the Second World War. It has been rededicated to honour those who have died in wars and in military service for the country.

Heading off the grounds and to the west, I came across more tulips in planters.

A Finale For Ottawa Christmas Lights

 The National War Memorial occupies the heart of Confederation Square, and is surrounded by landmarks like Parliament Hill, the Chateau Laurier, the Government Conference Centre, the National Arts Centre, and the Chambers. Christmas lights are strung up in the trees around it. I started walking around the perimeter, taking shots as I went.

On the northeast side of the perimeter, a series of statues and busts are gathered around a staircase that comes up from the Rideau Canal. They are collectively called The Valiants, consisting of figures from across Canadian military history. General Arthur Currie commanded Canadian forces during the last part of World War One, and by all accounts did very well with them.

I carried on.

My last stop was Parliament Hill, where the Peace Tower was illuminated in blue and purple, with snowflakes falling down the length of the tower.