Holiday season in downtown Ottawa

People who have followed my blog for a while will know that I like to photograph Christmas decorations and lights during this time of the year.  In previous years, I usually fly back to BC at this time of the year, but this year, I will be spending my time here in Ontario and getting ready for my Ph.D and working on my manuscripts.

Nonetheless, I still keep an eye out for place with interesting Christmas decorations and lights, and this particular blog provides excellent information and images for such a thing.  I left my office this afternoon and headed towards Parliament Hill to take some photos.

I was a bit early so it was not dark yet.

Being a tourist in Ottawa

One thing I enjoy about being in Ottawa is that there are so many interesting things to see and photograph.  I bused to downtown today to get next month's bus pass and then I wandered around and took photos.

Parliament Hill and Rideau Canal

Have a Merry One!

No snow here in Richmond, instead we have been having gray clouds and rain for the last three days now.

My family doesn't really celebrate Christmas, but to those does, have a merry one!

Cheers!

Flock of Coots, Ho Ho Ho House and Moon watch

I had quite a busy afternoon today. First up, biking to the dyke.

Nice weather today.

Resting heron.

Merry Christmas from Christmas Market

Today, my mother and I went to the Vancouver Christmas Market to check this interesting even out. My thoughts? It's smaller than I thought (but when you are comparing it with the authentic Christmas Market in Germany or any types of outdoor markets in Taiwan, it's unfair for this first-timer). In addition, it is not cheap either - $5 gate fee for an adult (for an outdoor event) without any gifts, memorabilia, promotions, etc. Food is quite pricey too - $8 for a Bratwurst and $8 for an Apple Cinnamon Spice drink ($4 is refundable if you return the mug), and so are the crafts sold in the market too, at least $20+ with many over the hundred dollar mark too.

The good things about this event? Food is good (to someone who never really had Germany food before) and the authentic German crafts/ornaments are quite nice too, except for some with labels saying "Made in China". Oops.

The only good shot from today.

Festive mood

Took some random shots during my lunch break and after work. It feels more like the holiday season everyday.

This is one of the six windows in Vancouver with Woodward's Window displays (more info here). I am not a big fan of these things, but there is a contest asking about each location and you can win a prize from BC Ferries, which was mainly why I was walking and looking around for answers.

Birding on the dyke & Christmas Houses watching

This afternoon, I biked to the dyke again. And there was the Northern Harrier far far away.

A female Northern Flicker perched on the branch among crows.

Sky-watch. These were taken as I biked southward first towards Steveston.

Then it was time to turn around and head for Terra Nova.

I spotted an unusual bird hiding in the bushes on the borders of the golf course. It was a Wilson's Snipe! It was feeding at first, but after it saw me watching it, it went into a freezing and hiding mode. Not effective, but I got the idea that it doesn't like to be watched. So I leave it alone.

The view as the sun slowly sets

A female Mallard crossed the trail looking for her friends and partner on the other side of the ditch. It then flew, jumped, tumbled, and walked in front of me to get to her friends.

Watching the sun set.


Watching the moon rise.

In the evening, my parents and I walked (and drove) to several houses in west Richmond enjoying the Christmas displays people set up in front of their houses.

This "Ho Ho Ho" house (on Garry Street) is probably the most impressive one.

Christmas lights also give me a change to practice one of the photography techniques I always wanted to try out - bokeh.

Original.

Bokeh style!

Merry Christmas, everyone!
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Quick stroll to Harbour Green Park

Almost every morning in downtown, on my way to the office, I always walk in front of the building where I see this fantastic Christmas Tree with two life-size figures in the lobby. I have no idea who they are but always wanted to take a picture. Well, I finally get the chance to do so this morning.

Santas? Or two of the Three Wise Men?

The office is quite quiet today as almost everyone is gone for the rest of the year. Oh yeah, did I mention I will be working here for another week or so in the new year?

Anyways, on my lunch break, I headed out in this chilly weather to go to the Harbour Green Park to get some fresh air after being couped inside the office for so long and staring at the computer the whole time (with a few breaks here and there).

Cloudy, but at least it's not raining

Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) with the yellow bill.

A lucky shot of the gull in the air.

A Pelagic Cormorant catching fish. I actually saw it caught and ate a fish, I was too amazed to photograph it. The fish was a pretty good-sized too.

That's all I did today. I will be taking my holiday break from now until the beginning of the new year, so hopefully I will have more time to blog everyday now.

Happy Holidays!

365 days ago (2008-12-23) ... About my trip to Orchid Island from August 18 - 20, 2008. Good times with sunny skies, salty sea air, and skin-burning sunshine! Ah!
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