LOS ANGELES

The following photograph were taken 

during a three-day stay in Los Angeles.

los angeles photos

View from Figueroa near free way underpass	tPalm tree standing proud among stone giants	textLooking East from Figueroa
Walking east from Grand	Walking east from Broadway	Wallking east crossing Main
Between highrises at Figueroa	Tree and Shadows at Figueroa	Palm Trunks at Figueroa

TULIPS Ottawa, Canada has a yearly tulip festival.  These tulips were planted on the Spark Stree Mall.  The photos were taken at night.

Tulips by night I	Tulips by night II	Tulips by night III
CANADIAN TULIP FESTIVAL Why does Ottawa celebrate the tulip with such enthusiasm? The tradition began 60 years ago when Canada gave asylum to Dutch heir apparent, Princess Juliana. The German army had invaded Holland in May, 1940, and the Royal House immediately left their country for London. While her mother,Queen Wilhelmina, remained there, Juliana and her family left for a safer haven in Canada...until the end of the Second World War.	To show her gratitude Julianna gifted Canadian citizens with 100,000 of the Netherlands famous tulip bulbs in the fall of 1945. This started a tradition and every year thereafter another 100,000 bulbs were delivered to Ottawa and planted all around the city. Over the next decade the Canadian Tulip Festival became bigger and better every year. By the early 1960’s more than 2 million showy and colourful tulips were in bloom in time for the festival.	Tourists started making Ottawa their destination in early May. So did dignitaries from Canada, the United States and other parts of the world. In 1961 President John F. Kennedy met for talks with then Prime Minister, John Diefenbaker while the Tulip Festival was in full swing. And in 1967, Canada’s Centennial year, Queen Juliana attended to add a touch of royalty to the festivities.
The Canadian Tulip Festival originated from a simple, yet heartfelt gesture by the future Queen of the Netherlands and has grown into the largest festival of its kind anywhere. The expanded Festival was dedicated to its founder,  Ottawa photographer, Malak Karsh. .	In 2012 Ottawa will celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Canadian Tulip Festival     Tulips by night IV	The city abounded in tulips and attracted many tourists and visitors .The photos shown here were taken with a digital camera on the Sparks Street Mall at dusk after a short rainfall.

NOTRE DAME BASILICA

Situated on the National Capital "mile of history," Notre Dame Cathedral is the mother church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Ottawa.

This is the oldest church in Ottawa. Like many historic churches, this one stands on the ruins of another. The church was the first in the Bytown area to serve both English and French-speaking parishioners.

Begun in 1839, its construction was not completed until 1885. Its painted and carved neo-Gothic interior is one of the finest in the country. Its sanctuary is mainly the work of noted Canadian sculptor, Philippe Hébert. Notre Dame Basilica cathedral is located in Ottawa, Ontario

At its founding, Notre Dame was just a poor church run by missionaries who had visions of great things. In 1847 the church was elevated to cathedral status, and in 1879 it became a basilica. Though its twin spires make it easy to find in the Ottawa skyline, this landmark is most known not for what's outside, but what's inside. Statues of the prophets by Louis-Philippe Hébert adorn the choir stall along with John the Baptist and local favorite, Saint Patrick.

Both exterior and intererior were extensively renovated, providing the twin towers with a silver coating and the interior with restoration of the hand painted areas.

In 1999 the Basilica was completely restored to its original splendor. Many artist and craftsmen took part in the restoration.	During the Christmas celebrations in 2002, a small orchestra performed from the central balcony. The photo was taken from the south balcony during the prelude to the celebrations	The gothic arches present an exquisite array of lines and colours, The lighting during the celebration brought out the beauty of  the structural details..

MUD LAKE Mud Lake is located in the Britannia Conservation area in Ottawa, Canada.

The Sky Beyond	Enriched Landscape	Trees mirrored in spring flood waters
In spring the water is high and floods a good part of the conservation area.	Framed	Trees and sky mingle with their reflections in the cool spring flood water that created these inverted landscapes.
Spring Lake	On the Surface	Red Leaves