Ottawa and the Tulips Festival

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The month of May has arrived and on the fourth, the tulip festival was officially launched for it’s 60th anniversary in the Nation’s Capital. Last weekend, I went to Dow’s lake to take in the beautiful colors and shoot some photos. Yesterday morning, I was at Major’s Hill Park to take more photos of the flowers and the surrounding scenes.

Later in the afternoon, I drove along the Queen Elisabeth driveway which follows the canal. It is fantastic scenenery and there were hundreds of people enjoying the nice day, sunshine and the flowers.

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What is Stock Photography?

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According to Wikipedia, Stock photography is the supply of photographs licensed for specific uses. It is used to fulfill the needs of creative assignments instead of hiring a photographer. Today, stock images can be presented in searchable online databases. They can be purchased and delivered online. Often, they are produced in studios using a wide variety of models posing as professionals, stereotypes, expressing stereotypical emotions and gesticulations or involving pets.

I will not repeat here what is already well explained at Wikipedia. I am encouraging you to read about it by following this link.

Bonneville Salt Flats in Winter

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In February 2010, on my way to Las Vegas from Ottawa, I visited the Bonneville Salt Flats along the way. Actually, I almost missed them because my expectations of the flats were not at all what I was seeing. I followed the road to the Flats and was really looking around when I knew I had travelled the distance indicated on the map. All I could see were huge flat areas of dirt and in most places, it was water; not the white surfaces I was expecting.

At one point, I stopped the car in a rest area. I needed to check to see if I was not in the wrong place or if I had missed a turn somewhere. There was a plaque displayed near the parking space. This is The Bonneville Salt Flatswhere I realized I was at the flats.

I continued a bit further and eventually found the speedway that I had heard so much about and wanted to see.

The Bonneville Salt Flats

The Bonneville Salt Flats
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The Bonneville Salt Flats is a densely-packed salt pan in Tooele County in northwestern Utah. The area is a remnant of the Pleistocene Lake Bonneville and is the largest of many salt flats located west of the Great Salt Lake. The property is public land managed by the Bureau of Land Management and is known for land speed records at the "Bonneville Speedway". Access is free and visitors can drive on the flats.

Ottawa, Canada, The Nation’s Capital

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I have been living in the federal city for most of my life. My family moved here when I was 14 and it has become my home town. It’s a nice, clean and green city. There are quite a few parks, all kinds of attractions and festivals year round. Ottawa and Gatineau are part of the Capital region. They are separated by the Ottawa river. Ottawa is in Ontario and Gatineau, in the province of Quebec.

I want to present you some aspects of this great city such as The Civilization Museum, Victoria Island, the heritage buildings, the bridge and the Chaudiere Falls to name only a few. There are so many places to visit and explore. Enjoy!

Centrale Hull 2, Chaudiere falls and bridge

Centrale Hull 2, Chaudiere falls and bridge
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Centrale Hull 2 is a 27 MW 4-turbine hydroelectric generating station on the Ottawa River on the Gatineau (Hull) side of the Chaudière Falls. It is owned by Hydro-Québec that lists its type as run-of-the-river and its commission date as 1920-1969. Its reservoir capacity is 4 million cubic metres.

Victoria Island, Ottawa

Victoria Island, Ottawa
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Victoria Island is an island located between Ottawa and Gatineau on the Ottawa River, in Ontario. It is accessible via the Chaudière Bridge which connects Ottawa's Booth Street to Rue Eddy in Gatineau. The Portage Bridge connecting the two cities passes elevated over the island. It is located where the Ottawa River narrows near the Canadian War Museum at LeBreton Flats. Victoria Island, Ottawa had been used by First Nations people for centuries, called Asinabka (Place of Glare Rock). According to archaeological evidence, this site was the centre of convergence for trade and spiritual and cultural exchange.

Canadian Museum of Civilization

Canadian Museum of Civilization
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The Canadian Museum of Civilization (French: Musée canadien des civilisations) is Canada's national museum of human history and the most popular and most-visited museum in Canada. It is located in the Hull sector of Gatineau, Quebec, directly across the Ottawa River from Canada's Parliament Buildings in Ottawa, Ontario.

Chinatown Arch Gateway, Ottawa

Chinatown Arch Gateway, Ottawa
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Ottawa's Chinatown is located along Somerset Street in downtown Ottawa. It runs from Bay Street in the east to Rochester St in the west (according to the Chinatown BIA). Signs for Chinatown continue along Somerset until Preston Street, and Chinese/Asian restaurants can be found even further west. The BIA was designated in 1989, and was named Somerset Heights it was renamed Chinatown in 2005. While officially designated "Chinatown", the area is home to businesses from many Asian cultures, such as Vietnamese, Korean and Thai. Restaurants specializing in Phở are quite common. Signs for Somerset Street in Chinatown have Chinese subscript. An archway has been built upon the entrance to the western section of Chinatown over Somerset Street, west of Bronson Avenue. It was unveiled in the early Fall of 2010.

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Black-eyed Susan and the Grasshopper

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I find nature amazing! Grasshopper on black-eyed susan flowers

I was visiting the Jacques-Cartier Park, taking photos of the flower beds and all of a sudden, I saw a grasshopper on one of the black-eyed susan flowers. I approached slowly and was able to get very close. These are some of the photos I managed to get.

Grasshopper on black-eyed susan flowers

Grasshopper on black-eyed susan flowers
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Grasshopper on black-eyed susan flowers

Jacques-Cartier Park and Hull Marina, Gatineau

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The marina is located in Gatineau, next to the Alexandra bridge, the Civilization Museum and not too far from the MacDonald-Cartier bridge. The two bridges span the Ottawa river running in between Gatineau and Ottawa. The Jacques-Cartier Park is a very nice area along the river and is used for many festivals and events. It is the home of the Snowflakes Kingdom during Winterlude where kids can have a lot of fun. Many snow structures are constructed so that families can partake and enjoy ice slides and many other activities.

Jacques Cartier Park  is a park in Gatineau, Quebec, across the river from the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa. It is named for French explorer Jacques Cartier, who arrived at the mouth of the Ottawa River while he was looking for the Northwest Passage. The National Capital Commission (NCC) uses the site to run one of its popular annual events, Winterlude every February. It is also a busy site on Canada Day, offering activities such as music and dance shows throughout the day, entertainment and activities for children, and demonstrations by the Canadian Forces SkyHawks parachute team.

Maison Charron, the oldest surviving house in Hull, is located in the park. It was restored by the NCC in 1985 and is used for various activities.

Jacques-Cartier Park Marina, Ottawa river, Gatineau Ottawa

Jacques-Cartier Park Marina, Ottawa river, Gatineau Ottawa
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Boats at the Jacques-Cartier Park Marina, Ottawa river, Gatineau Ottawa. The Jacques-Cartier park which is also the site for the Winterlude snowflake kingdom and of many other events and festivals such as Canada Day. The marina is practically under the Alexandra bridge and near the Civilization Museum.

Jacques-Cartier Park, Gatineau, Ottawa

Jacques-Cartier Park, Gatineau, Ottawa
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Jacques-Cartier Park, Gatineau, Ottawa. The park is also the site for the Winterlude snowflake kingdom and of many other events and festivals such as Canada Day. The marina is practically under the Alexandra bridge and near the Civilization Museum.

Alexandra bridge, Gatineau, Ottawa

Alexandra bridge, Gatineau, Ottawa
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The Royal Alexandra Interprovincial Bridge is a steel truss cantilever bridge spanning the Ottawa River between Ottawa, Ontario and Gatineau, Quebec. It is known locally as both the "Alexandra Bridge" and the "Interprovincial Bridge".

 

The Plains of Abraham, Quebec City

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The Plains of Abraham is a historic area within The Battlefields Park in Quebec City, Quebec, that was originally grazing land, but became famous as the site of the Battle of the Plains of Abraham, which took place on 13 September 1759. Though written into the history books, housing and minor industrial structures were still erected atop hundreds of acres of the fields. Only in 1908 was the land ceded to Quebec City, though administered by the specifically created and federally run National Battlefields Commission. The park is today used by 4 million visitors and tourists annually for sports, relaxation, outdoor concerts, and festivals.

Quebec City

Quebec City
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Quebec City or Québec City (French: Ville de Québec) is the capital of the Canadian province of Quebec. As of 2011, the city has a population of 516,622, and the metropolitan area has a population of 765,706, making it the second most populous city in Quebec after Montreal, which is about 233 kilometres (145 mi) to the southwest.

 

Quebec City Aquarium

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The Quebec City Aquarium has a garden, several outdoor pools, and a main building with several exhibits. The Aquarium has around 300 species of fish, crustaceans, molluscs, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and marine mammals in their exhibits housing around 10,000 animals. The Aquarium specializes in boreal and arctic wildlife.

Quebec City! I love it

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Le Petit Champlain neighborhood is a must see area of old Quebec with it’s small streets, artists lanes and the cosy atmosphere. There are many restaurants, boutiques and lots to see. It is certainly a very popular and scenic neighborhood “quartier”.

Petit Champlain is a neighbourhood in Quebec City, Canada. It is located in the district of Vieux-Québec–Cap-Blanc–colline Parlementaire in the borough of La Cité–Limoilou, near Place Royale. Its main street is the Rue du Petit-Champlain at the foot of Cap Diamant. It is the oldest commercial district in North America.

Quebec City

Quebec City
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Quebec City or Québec City (French: Ville de Québec) is the capital of the Canadian province of Quebec. As of 2011, the city has a population of 516,622, and the metropolitan area has a population of 765,706, making it the second most populous city in Quebec after Montreal, which is about 233 kilometres (145 mi) to the southwest.

Quebec City Architecture

Quebec City Architecture
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Quebec City, old church turned into a garden and architectural piece. Quebec City or Québec City (French: Ville de Québec) is the capital of the Canadian province of Quebec. As of 2011, the city has a population of 516,622, and the metropolitan area has a population of 765,706, making it the second most populous city in Quebec after Montreal, which is about 233 kilometres (145 mi) to the southwest.

The Voltigeurs du Quebec Armoury

The Voltigeurs du Quebec Armoury
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In the Canadian Forces, an armoury is a place where a reserve unit trains, meets, and parades. The Voltigeurs du Quebec Armoury, that used to be named Grande-Allée Armoury (French: Manège militaire Grande-Allée, or simply Manège militaire) was a Gothic Revival drill hall for the infantry regiment Les Voltigeurs de Québec in 805 Wilfrid-Laurier Avenue East, Quebec City, Canada. It was built between 1885 and 1888 and designed by architect Eugène-Étienne Taché. It was designated a National Historic Site of Canada.

Quebec City Train Station

Quebec City Train Station
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Quebec City or Québec City (French: Ville de Québec) is the capital of the Canadian province of Quebec. As of 2011, the city has a population of 516,622, and the metropolitan area has a population of 765,706, making it the second most populous city in Quebec after Montreal, which is about 233 kilometres (145 mi) to the southwest.

 

 

St-George Waterfalls, New Brunswick

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These are my last bunch of waterfalls photos until I go out and shoot some more.

St-George is located between St-Stephen and St-John. I was told it produces some of the best smoked salmon. I love to take long exposures and to see the result. Water seems to be flowing in a still image. It fascinates me.

St-Georges Waterfalls, New Brunswick

St-Georges Waterfalls, New Brunswick
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St. George is nicknamed the "Granite Town" and is located on the Magaguadavic River between Passamaquoddy Bay and Lake Utopia. It is 70 km west of Saint John. The town was founded by Peter Clinch, a United Empire Loyalist who emigrated from the United States in 1784. Several granite quarries operated in the nineteenth and early twentieth century. The Magaguadavic River flows through the town and into a large gorge at St. George, with caves in the cliffs on either side.

 

St-Stephen Waterfalls, New Brunswick

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I lived in New Brunswick for 7 years. During that time, I had the opportunity to travel all of the Maritimes,  including a few trips to St-Stephen. I was even commissioned to shoot the exterior of a few buildings such as the Ganong chocolate factory, one of the main attractions.

It is also a frontier town between Canada and the United States, separated by the Ste-Croix river and the waterfalls.

St. Stephen Waterfalls and Milltown Dam, New Brunswick

St. Stephen Waterfalls and Milltown Dam, New Brunswick
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St. Stephen (2011 population: 4,817)[1] is a Canadian town in Charlotte County, New Brunswick, situated on the east bank of the St. Croix River. The town was founded by Peter Clinch, a United Empire Loyalist who emigrated from the United States in 1784. Several granite quarries operated in the nineteenth and early twentieth century. The Magaguadavic River flows through the town and into a large gorge at St. George, with caves in the cliffs on either side.

Rideau Falls in Summer and Autumn

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I visited the Rideau falls a few times in the summer and again in the fall. The perspective is much different from the winter scene and always fantastic. Across the river, you can see the City of Gatineau.

Rideau Falls, Ottawa

Rideau Falls, Ottawa
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The Rideau Falls are two waterfalls located in Ottawa, Canada where the Rideau River empties into the Ottawa River. The falls are divided by Green Island, with the Old City Hall just to the south.

 

Rideau Falls in Thawing Mode

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February 2009, it was a sunny day, not too cold and I felt like going out to shoot. I ended up at the Rideau Falls in Ottawa. I have been living in the beautiful region since I was 14 and it was really the first time I saw the falls in their frozen state.  ” Spectacular”

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Rideau Falls at end of winter. Water breaking through.


 

Niagara Falls; Waterfowl

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Birds, waterfowl such as ducks are seen almost everywhere and they are also present near the falls. There were quite a few families of ducks on the Niagara river, close to the falls. Here are a few photos.

Ducks

Ducks
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Ducks taking off

 

Niagara Falls; Night Scenes

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When you visit Niagara Falls and you want to see the city and the falls from a bird’s eye view, you have to go to the observation tower called Skylon. The view from the tower is no less than spectacular, specially at night as you will see from the photos. I started early and as the darkness progressed, I kept on shooting. I even did some special effects by zooming out while taking a long exposure. The effects are very interesting and they make nice abstract art images.

Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls
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Niagara Falls,Ontario. The Niagara Falls, located on the Niagara River draining Lake Erie into Lake Ontario, is the collective name for the Horseshoe Falls and the adjacent American Falls along with the comparatively small Bridal Veil Falls, which combined form the highest flow rate of any waterfall in the world and has a vertical drop of more than 165 feet (50 m). Horseshoe Falls

 

Niagara Falls; Floral Showhouse Paradise

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Niagara Falls Floral Showhouse ParadiseWalking down the Niagara Parkway, along the river and falls, there is a fabulous garden of flowers called the Floral Showhouse Paradise. I enjoyed walking down the pathways looking at all the flowers.

Niagara Falls Floral Showhouse Paradise

Niagara Falls Floral Showhouse Paradise
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Niagara Falls,Ontario. Floral Showhouse Paradise

 

 

 

Niagara Falls, early morning and cloudy.

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On the second day of the visit, I got up almost at sunrise. The idea was to shoot some photos of the falls before too many people flocked to them. Unfortunately, it was a very over cast day, lots of clouds and a bit of fog. There was a good mist flowing towards me as I was trying to take some pictures. I and my camera got pretty wet. I still took quite a few pictures because I knew I was not going to get another chance.

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Niagara Falls,Ontario. The Niagara Falls, located on the Niagara River draining Lake Erie into Lake Ontario, is the collective name for the Horseshoe Falls and the adjacent American Falls along with the comparatively small Bridal Veil Falls, which combined form the highest flow rate of any waterfall in the world and has a vertical drop of more than 165 feet (50 m). Horseshoe Falls

 

Niagara Falls Panorama

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Niagara Falls, Ontario. I took these panorama images of the Falls in August 2009. What a spectacular view!  The day was beautiful, but had a bit of an overcast. I used a Manfrotto panorama head and some neutral density filters to slow down the action so the falls would seem to flow instead of stopping the action.

The Niagara Falls, located on the Niagara River draining Lake Erie into Lake Ontario, is the collective name for the Horseshoe Falls and the adjacent American Falls along with the comparatively small Bridal Veil Falls, which combined form the highest flow rate of any waterfall in the world and has a vertical drop of more than 165 feet.

Niagara Falls

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Montmorency Waterfalls

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The Montmorency Falls  are a large waterfall on the Montmorency River in Quebec, Canada.The falls are located on the boundary between the borough of Beauport, Quebec City, and Boischatel, about 12 km from the heart of old Quebec City. The area surrounding the falls is protected within the Montmorency Falls Park

The falls, at 84 meters (275 ft) high, (and 150 feet wide) are the highest in the province of Quebec and 30 m (98 ft) higher than Niagara Falls. The basin at the foot of the falls is 17 m (56 ft) deep. The falls are at the mouth of the Montmorency River where it drops over the cliff shore into the Saint Lawrence River, opposite the western end of the Île d’Orleans.

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The Mactaquac Dam

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While I lived in New Brunswick for a number of years, I had the chance to visit many towns. These were my fun outings. I’d jump in the car on a Saturday morning and just hit the road, not knowing where I’d end up or what I might find on the way. Whenever I encountered something interesting, I would stop, take some pictures and then went on my way to explore further. This is how I found the Mactaquac Dam, village and beach.

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Formally called the Mactaquac Generating Station, the dam and power house are located approximately 15 km (9.3 mi) upstream from the city of Fredericton. The dam is an embankment dam consisting of a rock-fill structure sealed by clay. It combines with two concrete spill-ways to form an arch across a narrow section of the river between the communities of Kingsclear on the west bank, and Keswick Ridge on the east bank.