2017 Canadian Tulip Festival Photos

I’m volunteering the 2017 Canadian Tulip Festival in Ottawa. This year’s festival runs from May 12 – 22, 2017.

I’ll share some of my favourite photos here.

Taken by the Rideau Canal behind Lansdowne Park

This statue celebrates the Olympic Torch’s journey across Canada in anticipation of the 1988 Calgary games.

Visitors to Aberdeen pavillion are invited to sign one of these large tulips

November 2016 Supermoon in Ottawa-Gatineau

Two photos from the November 2016 Supermoon. The first photo was taken from Ottawa, near Beechwood Cemetery. The second in Gatineau at the Quai des artistes.

The Falling Poppies on Parliament Hill

Taken on November 10th, 2016. The Falling poppies virtual show on Parliament Hill to commemorate Remembrance Day.

A Walk Through The Rockeries

Since returning from Europe, I’ve been spending time exploring my new neighbourhood on foot. I’ve already checked our McKay Lake and Beechwood Cemetery. This week, I took a walk though The Rockeries, a section of Rockcliffe Park, before descending down to the shores of the Ottawa River at the New Edinburgh Club.

The park is home to Soper’s fountain, a piece of Parisian art that was purchased in 1912. Warren Soper was a wealthy entrepreneur in Ottawa who opened the city’s first telephone exchange.

Standing a few metres away from the fountain are these two impressive columns from Ottawa’s original Carnegie Library that was built in 1906.

After passing the columns, you can head downhill and cross the Rockcliffe Parkway. Along the shore of the Ottawa River is the old New Edinburgh club that dates back to the 1920s.

The club has its own custom built iron bridge. There is a plaque that reads “Dominion Bridge” on one of the supporting struts.

The building is painted in Red, White and Black, the colours of Ottawa’s sports teams.

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Exploring McKay Lake and The Pond

One of the best things about living in Ottawa is the easy access to nature.

After years of living in Ottawa’s downtown core, I now make my home in the Beechwood Village section of the city, which straddles the neighbourhoods of Vanier, New Edinburgh and Rockcliffe Park Village. There is a lot of green space around here. Maybe most impressive is McKay Lake and The Pond, part of the Caldwell-Carver Conservation Area.

Ottawa Magazine wrote about The Pond in 2013:

“In the 1950s, as young families began to move into new housing in nearby Manor Park, The Pond turned into the neighbourhood swimming hole. The Pond, just 170 metres in length, belongs to everyone in Ottawa and is open at given hours for public swimming. Indeed, most of the people who swim there come from outside the neighbourhood. Nevertheless, local people have a special passion for their little lake, and they work hard to keep it safe and healthy.”

Local residents are allowed to swim here between 7am and 2pm. Now that fall has arrived, there aren’t many swimmers around, but the colours of autumn are on the trees. There are paths lining the shore around both bodies of water. I took a walk around the lake today, here are some of my favourite photos.

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Beechwood Cemetery in the Fall

Ottawa’s Beechwood Cemetery is one of Canada’s most prestigious and historic cemeteries. Designated as a National Historic site, it is open to visitors, who can stroll through the meticulously maintained grounds. It is the final resting place for over 75,000 Canadians including many important figures in Ottawa’s development during its early years as Canada’s Capital. There are also sections dedicated to the RCMP and Canada’s Military. Former Prime Minister, Sir Robert Borden also lies at Beechwood.

During autumn, the leaves on the century old trees change colour, making for some wonderful scenery within the city. Walking through the cemetery and reading the plaques that chronicle the accomplishments of the people buried there is inspiring. The legacies left behind by those who now rest at Beechwood invites reflection on one’s own life.

Here are some of my favourite scenes from the cemetery.

Throughout the cemetery there are plaques like this one, highlighting important historical figures.

I also enjoyed seeing a memorial to the freedom fighters of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. Hungary is a country that I’ve spent a great deal of time in. I know a lot about its history and culture. Glad to see one of its most tragic moments is recognized here in Ottawa.

Right now, the leaves on the trees are changing colours. Red, Orange and Yellow colours are found throughout the cemetery.

The Strawberry Moon – June 21st, 2016 seen from Ottawa, Canada.

A rare ‘strawberry moon’ coincided with the summer solstice Monday on June 21st, 2016. I took this photo from downtown Ottawa with my 300mm lens.

The Peace Tower at Midnight

The moment the clock strikes midnight on Parliament Hill. Taken with my 300mm lens.

The Embassy of Croatia – Doors Open Ottawa

I visited the Embassy of Croatia in Canada during Doors Open Ottawa over the weekend. The heritage building, called Toller House, is located at the corner of Chapel and Daly streets in Sandy Hill. The building was bought and beautifully restored by Croatian expats in the 1990s. This visit was the highlight of my Doors Open Ottawa 2016 weekend. I love spending time inside the old heritage buildings that give Ottawa its character.

The area around the fireplace is often use as a space for receptions. There is plenty of space to move around and a lots of natural light.

Free chocolates, including the famous Bajadera bars, and pamphlets were offered to visitors.

Croatia’s current President, Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović (in the above photo), served as a diplomat during the renovation of Toller House in the 1990s.

Here we see the Embassy, viewed from Chapel street.

Doors Open Ottawa – Laurier House

Over the weekend, I visited Laurier House, which was open for this year’s Doors Open Ottawa event. Laurier House was the former residence of two of Canada’s most important Prime Ministers, Sir Wilfrid Laurier and the Rt. Hon. William Lyon Mackenzie King. It was here that they conducted much of their work and entertained heads of state from around the world.