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.

Lights Around The Landmarks

 On December 7th, Christmas lights are turned on around numerous landmarks in the city. I start with this shot, taken across from the National Peacekeeping Monument, near the National Gallery, taken a few nights afterwards.

My path led me back to Ottawa City Hall, where the grounds were decorated. An outdoor skating rink is also found here.

City Hall has a provincial courthouse as a neighbour, and that provides the backdrop for these lights. I spent a few days here this year testifying for the Crown in a criminal trial. Hopefully never again.

A big wreath hangs over the main city building.

Across the street is Confederation Park, where instead of traditional lights, spheres of lights hang in trees, and the trunks are illuminated by spotlights of coloured lights. It's different, but I like it.

The park is home to several military monuments, including this one, the National Aboriginal Veterans Monument.

I headed up the street. Between Confederation Park and the National Arts Center, more Christmas lights.

Up at the NAC is this statue. This is the centennial year of the birth of Oscar Peterson, the great jazz pianist and composer, one of the best jazz has ever seen, and in my opinion the greatest musician Canada has ever given the world. A statue of him sits here, with his music playing from an overhead speaker. He looks like he's taking in the applause from his audience. There were Christmas touches in the nearby flowerbeds.

Passing by the NAC, around to the north end, more Christmas lights. The statue seen here is Andrew Hamilton Gault, the politician and military officer who organized the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry at the outset of World War One. The regiment has a proud history, and is still active today. We'll cross the street from here tomorrow to close out the Christmas series.

Wonders

 More today from where I left off yesterday, with that ice sculpture about the beaver.

Up the street, the coloured spotlights were off around some of the remaining ice sculptures. At this point, work crews were working on tearing a couple of them down, which needs to be done at the end of the festival, as to leave them on their own to melt would be a liability thing. I quickly took some shots.

I returned back down the street to capture these. I'm not quite done with Winterlude. I opened this series up on the Rideau Canal skateway, and that is where I'll end it over the next three days.

Icy Majesty

 On the last weekend of Winterlude, I returned to the grounds of the National War Memorial, taking a shot of the ice sculpture here in daylight conditions.

I headed over to Sparks Street, where this sculpture had consistently surprised me by staying in good shape throughout the festival.

This one had somewhat less successfully, but was still standing in what was now a good amount of snow.

Another surprise. When this one had been built on the first weekend, I expected it to have come apart early on. It did not.

Oscar Peterson in ice looked as engaging in daylight as at night.

This big statue of a bear stands at one of the crosswalks along the street.

And then there's this bear, who was walking about. I remember this one from last year.