Stained Glass Craftmanship And Nature

The main entrance inside the Museum of Nature has stained glass depictions of nature above each of the doors. I have shown you one such example before. This one is from the westernmost door. I have to get in here again sometime soon. The last time I was inside was Canada Day, and it was insanely busy. I have to take you on a proper tour of the galleries.

City Daily Photo Theme Day: Rust And Ruin

The first of each month is a theme day for photobloggers from around the world taking part in City Daily Photo. For the first of September, the theme is Rust And Ruin. You can find other examples of the theme at this link. 

In the middle of August I showed you a take from the front of Somerset House here in Ottawa. Today I have the other shots I took of the place, knowing it would be ideal for the theme. It is something of a ruin, and I'm sure there's rust in there.

Several years ago there was work going on in the interior for restorations. A machine not unlike a bulldozer was being used, and a slight boo-boo ensued. The slight boo-boo being the machine hitting a support beam, causing a partial collapse inside the old hotel. The worker was saved by being inside the machine, though by contrast, had he not been using the machine, nothing would have happened in the first place.

For weeks on end afterwards, the intersection of Bank and Somerset, one of the busiest in the city, was shut down to traffic while the damage was assessed. The city and the developer got into disputes. Part of the back of the building was demolished, then reinforced with scaffolding. The disputes brought in the lawyers. And years went by. 

This view from the back shows some of the real damage of the partial demolition. The interior has been walled off, but that hasn't stopped graffiti taggers. In fact, looking at some of the remaining windows, you can see graffiti tags, so someone's been inside.

Supposedly there's been a settlement between the city and the developer to get things back up and running and get the restorations back underway. Just a few days ago though, the mayor expressed frustration at the lack of work being done. Hopefully Somerset House does rise again from the ruins. The structure itself, particularly at the front, deserves a second chance. 

The Bellows Of Outrage Or Blessed Relief?

Here we are. Last day of August. Days are getting shorter. Fall colours are starting to show themselves. It won't be long til we see such lovely sights as these. 

The top shot is the street close by my place. The bottom is from the library at Carleton, overlooking the Canal on the other side of the treeline.

I couldn't resist. Incidentally, I can practically hear a number of people howling my name in outrage when they see this; no doubt they'll be contemplating sending Fluffy Destroyer of Worlds after me.

The Residence Of The Greek Ambassador

Today I have two views, holdovers from Doors Open, of the Greek Ambassador's residence in the Glebe. I first introduced it to you here. This is a different angle for the front of the residence, up on the hill overlooking the Rideau Canal.

While this is at the back. If the residence participates next year, I'll have to photograph the garden.

Outside And Within A Fieldstone Church

During Doors Open, I took shots at Southminster United Church, which is a favourite photographic subject for me. I think it's the fieldstone of the structure that appeals to me. The first post is here. I found extra shots from that day of the church among my folders.

The church was my first stop that weekend. The sanctuary was quiet at that point in time, but there were people inside. I enjoyed the way the light comes into the sanctuary.

In the first post I had a photograph from the church's Second World War memorial plaque. It's fitting in this centennial year of the beginning of the First World War to include this memorial plaque from one of the congregations that united into Southminster between the war. Both covering the names of those who served and who gave their lives, it is a testament that so many young men of that congregation gave their youth in places far from home. 

A reminder to members of City Daily Photo: the theme for the first of September is Rust And Ruin.

Social Commentary Or Act Of Vandals?

I took this photo last year of the sculpture of jazz great Oscar Peterson outside the National Arts Centre. It's my favourite statue in the city.

This second picture is from the Ottawa Citizen. The other night someone painted around the eyes with gold paint. The sculptor suggested it might be a commentary on the state of racial relations in the United States. On the other hand, it could be nothing more than petty vandalism. Oscar's widow didn't like the turn of events, according to the news. The NAC said that they had security footage handed over to the police, and were quickly having the paint removed.

The Smoke At The Middle Of The Day

I borrowed part of the title today from a novel I finished up over the weekend, The Smoke At Dawn, by Jeff Shaara, which tells the story of the Chickamauga and Chattanooga campaign in the American Civil War, both from the point of view of the commanders and the men in the lines. It seemed oddly appropriate for today, finishing off this series from Victoria Day.

The cannon salute to Queen Victoria certainly is loud. Before they begin, officers on site set everyone back at a given distance, and caution that the noise will be considerable. I imagine the gun crews use ear plugs.

Field Guns And The Famous Five

I thought I would stay with this particular subject for today and tomorrow. Yesterday I caught another detail I'd missed before in the photograph- the statue of Queen Elizabeth on horseback can be glimpsed in the background among the trees at the left. Go on back and see if you can find it.

Gun crews from the military come up with these field guns from time to time on the Hill. Aside from Victoria Day, they do the same duty for a more somber day, Remembrance Day. And they participate as well each year in Fortissimo, a military ceremony involving marching bands. I missed it this year, more's the pity.

A good many people know about the tradition now, coming out to witness it, and to look at these guns up close beforehand. In the background, a number of people are gathered around a set of statues collectively known as The Famous Five. The Five are a group of women critical to the rights of women in Canadian history. I have to photograph them sometime. 

The Cannons And Artillery Crews

I have a holdover from Victoria Day today. On Parliament Hill a salute is made each year on that day to Queen Victoria by firing cannons in a salute. Members of the Canadian Forces arrive on the Hill towing the artillery in advance. Soldiers for this gun crew are just getting the cannon unhooked from the transport truck. I looked at this shot again yesterday and just noticed the two spires of Notre Dame in the background.

A Welcome Arrival In Chinatown

The other day over at Victoria Daily Photo, Ben Madison added this post of a dramatic entry gate in his hometown's Chinatown area. It reminded me of a photo I took of the Chinatown gate here in Ottawa a year ago. This appeared in my writer's blog while I was musing the idea of starting up a photoblog. The gate has been there several years now, and is quite colourful, fitting the area well.