This neighbourhood has a lot of old brick houses which I enjoy photographing. Their windows are often covered in this translucent fabric that lets light in and keeps curious eyes out. I liked the street name too, it reminded me of that old T.V. soap opera.
Old meets new in a small Ontario town.
This apartment is on the ground floor so I guess the occupants opted for some security. I liked their choice of grill work.
A laneway view of the rooftop of a Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Ottawa’s Chinatown. The area was and continues to be home to many new Canadians.
A portion of the House of Commons, in Ottawa, is reflected in a government building opposite it. Its Gothic Revival style makes for some interesting cityscapes.
Walking along, I often see people’s pets watch me walk by. The dogs often bark, the cats just stare 😏
One of several entrances to The East Memorial Building, a federal government office building, with federal heritage status, in Ottawa, Canada. Its construction began in 1950, and it is an example of Classical-Moderne design. Like many of the older federal buildings, it has a wonderful bas-relief over the doorway.
I have been doing some street photography recently. Towards the end of a walk I noticed this tower under construction. The reflection made for an interesting if distorted view of the surrounding buildings.
A neighbourhood favourite.
California Dreaming. 😏
While taking some photographs on the grounds of the Canadian Museum of Nature I passed by a window of this imposing 1910 building and saw the geometric design of the staircase. It was quite a contrast to the exterior of the museum.
Reflections can make for interesting subjects, this one nicely framed in red brick.
A lot of old houses have collections of glass bottles in the window which always catch my eye. The signage wasn’t very welcoming though and then I noticed the house number.
There are several laneways nearby that can make for some interesting walks. No one parks in the garage anymore but it makes for a creative canvas and a nice spot for a basketball hoop.
I pass by this spot quite often but I like it best in fall when the ivy turns colour and the trees cast long shadows.
I saw this piece of driftwood on the windowsill of an old house which made for a fine display cabinet. The sea, wind and sun produce some striking art.
Not the usual geese in flight but a fanciful weathervane on the roof of a former church.
The owners took some thought with the back entrance of their home. Quite pleasing to the eye.
The window display was quite elegant on its own but the reflection of the old building across the way enhanced it a little more.
The sun struck the back of the chair and made it glow. I just had to take the photo. I was shooting with a 105mm lens (hoping for some insect photos that day) so I was pretty happy to get the shot.
This house is in a neighbourhood that is undergoing change. Many old homes sit side by side with new construction; some are being remodelled or torn down. For now, this old house still stands. Its beautiful wooden door contrasting nicely with the red brick.
This mailbox reflects a time when receiving mail was an event. Along with the usual bills and notices there might also have been a much anticipated letter!
The red brick made an attractive backdrop for this common pigeon. Often maligned, I thought this bird had presence.
While visiting an art gallery, I looked out a window at this scene. The mesh shade I shot through made for an interesting effect, I thought.
It’s fun to walk along the quiet lanes in residential areas. The sheds there can be weather worn or sport a new coat of paint. Once the snow melts, I’ll be exploring them again.
I took both photos in downtown Ottawa. New construction abutting the old. This high-rise will be another added to the collection of unremarkable structures that take the place of buildings such as this lovely Art Deco style building.
I liked the colour and the slight distortion of the street scene reflected in the glass.
Coneflowers in summer, a welcoming sight.
I like scenes like these, just a bit quirky.
A cat enjoying the sun on a warm afternoon.
Under the current Covid stay at home orders staying close to home is what we’re doing. I’ve always enjoyed walking in our neighbourhood and this spring it’s like seeing everything for the first time.
I took this photo on holiday a few years ago. The warehouse was well cared for and appealing, a nice photo opportunity on a misty morning.
This casse-croûte (snack bar in English) promises you your fries quick! We discovered this place on a walk through a small Quebec town.
From this angle I thought the buildings looked like they were nestled by the greenery surrounding them. I liked the effect of the Antique Preset in Tonality CK in the second photograph.
There are quite a few abandoned railway bridges in the countryside. With the closure of many Mills, railroads were no longer needed to move goods. Some of the bridges have been reclaimed by Ospreys who build their nests and raise their young on them. When we noticed the nest on the first bridge, we stopped the car and waited to see what would happen. We didn’t have to wait long as an adult flew in to feed the young bird.
On a road trip last summer, we stopped in a small town to take a break and look around. We saw this abandoned factory just before we drove into the town centre. These forlorn looking buildings just ask to be photographed. The building in the second photo might have had an occupant, as a lace curtain hung in the bottom window.
I used to walk past this yard quite frequently. Although not exactly in my neighbourhood, certainly close enough in normal times. I like the wall art on the old brick wall that borders the garden. A bit of the old and new. I hope to return sometime this summer.
It’s fun to wander down some of the laneways in town. They often run several city blocks. I sometimes catch a glimpse of a garden, back stoop or garage and there’s always plenty of sun and greenery. The dogs in the backyards are friendly too, they rarely bark as I pass by.
We visited one of Ottawa’s water filtration plants at a Doors Open event last summer. The Lemieux Island Water Purification Plant opened in 1932 and is a wonderful limestone structure with fine brass work and marble galleries. I’ve visited several times and can’t help but be impressed by the beauty of a building that houses a public utility.
Looking out the window, in an older section of Montreal, you can see a mix of low rise and taller buildings surrounded by a lot of greenery. Towards the back and centre of the frame, a nine story mural of Leonard Cohen, caught my attention. The mural is one of two in Montreal commemorating the life of Leonard Cohen; Montreal born, singer-songwriter, poet and author who died in 2016.
BELINDA GROVER PHOTOGRAPHY 