Life on the dock

I'm sure my parents were wondering what the eff I was doing down on the dock on Sunday (seriously though....what else?)! I was crouched right down at the level of the boards and this is what came from it.

Loonie Family

For the first time EVER we saw a pair of loons carrying their babies on their backs; this is a common behaviour for them but not so common to see. Anyway, they hopped off by the time I got my camera out but I still managed to snap a couple of family photos of them although I wish I'd had my zoom lens with me.

I have no idea why they kick their legs like this.....

Mom's Flowers

I went home yesterday for Father's Day and, like I always do, I dragged my camera around with me all day. Here's a small sample of mom's flowers. Peonies and irises :)

BFFs

I just happened to have my camera out when these guys landed right in front of me on the dock this afternoon. I love how bright the blue one is!

Creepy Crawly

This guy is living in my garden; I love his colour but wish he'd go away :(

In the garden....

I seem to have a knack for finding weird ladybugs - check this one out! It looks like he's trapped under a contact lens :)


Just one of one of the flowers in my garden :)

What tangled webs.....

This guy resides in my front flower bed....

...his friend wasn't home when I took this photo....

Doors Open Ottawa - Extras

Here are a couple of nonspecifics I took on our walk around downtown....

This is right next to the Supreme Court but I have no idea what it's for.

This is in the Rideau Centre parking lot; I notice it every time I'm there. This time I actually had my camera with me :)
As you know, I love reflections :)

Ok, so that's officially the end of 'Doors Open Ottawa' - hope you enjoyed the tour :)

Doors Open Ottawa - Ottawa Little Theatre

The last official touring spot on our little adventure was at the Ottawa Little Theatre.

We had free reign (FYI, I cannot seem to determine if the word is actually rein or reign - apparently both are acceptable) of the place so I took this one from the stage looking out at where the audience would be seated. Clearly the light was atrocious....

The set all ready to go for that evening's performance. The lead was seated at the table entertaining a visiting a child.
Back stage I found this tutu draped over a chair. How fitting!

I just thought this was funny!

So creepy I had to photograph them :)

Funky chandelier in the lobby.

Doors Open Ottawa - Carleton County Gaol

We're getting near the end of this series of photos - I promise!

I've wanted to visit this place for as long as I can remember but I've never had the opportunity before. These photos were taken at the former Carleton County Gaol. It was functional from 1842 until 1972 and today it's a hostel and a museum.

I probably would have missed this little herb garden had C.P. not pointed it out. I guess nothing's ever garbage at a hostel!
The gaol was the site of what is thought to be Canada's last public execution. Prisoners were hanged right here at the front of the building. There is a platform behind the wooden doors that would have been open for public viewing. Then the trap door would be opened and the person would be hanged for everyone to see :(
I couldn't get a better shot because the courtyard is enclosed by a stone wall so I couldn't get any farther away!

So dramatic :)

These are the night-time cells; they're literally just wide enough for a person to fit in. It would be hard to even turn around. Luckily the rooms where travelers stay have been reno'd :)

Hehe - and just for fun, this is a goofed-up shot but I couldn't resist. The building is thought to be haunted by Patrick James Whelan (the last prisoner to be executed) and this looks rather ghostly so I thought I'd post it :)

Doors Open Ottawa - Government Conference Centre

This building was once Ottawa's Union Station, the next stop on our tour. Today it isn't used for much, only for government conferences. It seems like a waste of beautiful space :(

Set up like it would be for a G8 meeting. QUITE underwhelming.
There's a section of the Berlin Wall in the lobby. I didn't get a chance to read about *why* exactly it's there. You can see the Brandenbug Gate and the Fernsehturm (tower on the right), I'm not sure what the one on the left is.

D Day in Ottawa

Ok, so I missed the 'official' D Day ceremony at the War Memorial in Ottawa but C.P. and I happened across a ceremony on our little photo adventure on Sunday (June 7th). I've been trying to dig up information about the groups who were there to lay wreathes but I can't find anything written up about it in any form of local media :(

What I do know is that they are part of the womens' contingent of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, known as the Rebekah degree. The lodge was "founded upon the principles of faithfulness, hospitality, purity and dedication to the principles of the Order as portrayed by women characters of the Bible."

The Rebekahs escorted mainly couples up to the tomb, but again, I don't know who they were. From what I could tell though, they were all American. Do you see why I thought they were military nurses at first?!?!

Not so interesting I guess, if you're a kid :) :)
Lined up to lay their wreathes. For those that don't know Ottawa so well, that's the Chateau Laurier on the right.


After we'd watched the ceremony we headed to the twelfth floor of the NCC Building, where beautiful views of Ottawa's downtown core can be seen. This is what was left after all was said and done.

Doors Open Ottawa - Supreme Court of Canada

The next stop on our walk around downtown was at the Supreme Court of Canada. I think it's safe to say that we found it all a bit underwhelming, but we're glad we stopped by anyway. I can't think of another reason I'd get to see it!

This is just outside the actual court room.
There are 9 judges; I just managed to squeeze in all of their seats! The room is decorated with a lot of red and wooden embellishments (including the walls!), and the lighting is quite dim which made it a bit of a nightmare to photograph sans tripod!
Judge's robe or Santa costume??? *wink wink*
~More to come tomorrow~