Ottawa photos from the river

Kitchissippi · #1 Posted **Apr 20, 2008, 3:36 PM**

Thought I'd start a photo thread of pics taken from the water which gives a completely different perspective. Dragged out the 'yak from storage and went into the the icy waters (do not try this without a wetsuit at this time of year). I'll post more photos as I explore more of the river and other waterways in the region.

Looking west towards the Ambleside condos:

Deschenes Rapids looking toward Aylmer. From the water you actually perceive the level change to the wide lake upstream:

The Westboro skyline. I imagine this will change soon as numerous mid-rises register on the horizon:

From certain angles, Ottawa-Gatineau looks like one big happy city:

Mille Sabords · #2 Posted **Apr 21, 2008, 12:09 AM**

Excellent photography, Kitchissippi. The Westboro skyline picture makes the Metropole look no taller than all the other average buildings... to think we get all worked up about 27 storeys downtown for the portrair gallery site...

harls · #3 Posted **Apr 21, 2008, 2:57 PM**

Were you among those kayakers that hang out near Bate Island and that sweet spot for rapids? I might have seen you this weekend.

Kitchissippi · #4 Posted **Apr 21, 2008, 5:07 PM**

I'm a wimp and go mostly for flat water. I prefer a calmer, less crowded scene. I'll attempt to cross tamer part of those rapids when the river goes down and the water's much warmer

I was up at Britannia and Lac Deschenes on Sunday with the loons:

Nortal crystal and mansions:

Something you don't see from the road — the back of ritzy homes on Crystal Beach. Hardly anyone here has curtains on their windows:

The Ottawa skyline from even farther away:

ajldub · #5 Posted **Apr 21, 2008, 9:50 PM**

Those houses along that stretch of water are nice. Anyone looking to kill an hour at work should check out Barry Hobin's website if they haven't already, some nice phototours inside several of those custom houses:

www.hobinarc.com

Ahh to have owned Nortel shares back in the late '90s, if only the rest of us could have been as fortunate...

Kitchissippi · #6 Posted **Jul 7, 2008, 1:09 AM**

Great day to be on the water. Paddled from Victoria Island to Rideau Falls and took these panos. It's tough getting decent pano shots with the kayak bobbing up and down!

Ottawa Gatineau and the Alex Bridge:

Parliament Hill in all its glory:

The back of Earnscliffe, Sir John A's old house

The underneath of the Macdonald-Cartier Bridge. There's a neat catwalk there. I wonder if they could re-design this bridge to have LRT running inside it.

The curtain falls that gave its name to a river, a canal, a street, and a mall

From this angle, Ottawa looks très-Euro:

Off on holidays for a month so I might not be posting regularly for a while. Have a great summer guys.

Rathgrith · #7 Posted **Jul 7, 2008, 1:37 AM**

Great Pics! I seriously need a kayak in Ottawa.

Kitchissippi · #8 Posted **Sep 25, 2008, 11:46 PM**

Some more shots I took in the last few weeks.

Lac Leamy:

any closer and I would have been soaked

any closer and my wallet would have been drained

How come no one complained about this turquoise glass. I think Claridge bought the surplus.

Balloons

Beneath Rideau Falls

Looks like some exotic locale but this is actually an island in Lac Des Chênes between Aylmer and Kanata:

harls · #9 Posted **Sep 26, 2008, 12:05 PM**

Anyone set up camp on that island? That would be a great place to get away from it all.

Looks like you were at Lac Leamy during the first weekend of September, I'm guessing. You know winter's just around the corner when they shut off that fountain!

Kitchissippi · #10 Posted **Sep 26, 2008, 1:46 PM**

I think people set up camp there because I saw evidence of campfires. It's likely Crown Land so it's legal to stay there for a night. You can easily paddle a canoe there from the Aylmer marina. Get close to the Ontario side and you can hear gunshots from the DND rifle range in Shirley's Bay!

Yup, I think it was the first week of September at Lac Leamy. The balloon fest was on.

Aylmer · #11 Posted **Sep 26, 2008, 9:26 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by harls

Anyone set up camp on that island? That would be a great place to get away from it all.

Looks like you were at Lac Leamy during the first weekend of September, I'm guessing. You know winter's just around the corner when they shut off that fountain!

Yeah! Loads of times: It's a great place to bring your canoe to and just camp.
But don't go there on St.Jean because of the hords of drunks there...

Also, STAY ON THE PATHS. Poison ivy everywhere.

eemy · #12 Posted **Sep 26, 2008, 9:58 PM**

I didn't realize the falls were reenforced like that.

Rathgrith · #13 Posted **Sep 26, 2008, 10:56 PM**

I'm surprised the NCC hasn't tired to get ownership of that island and start charging for use of it.

Aylmer · #14 Posted **Sep 27, 2008, 11:33 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rathgrith

I'm surprised the NCC hasn't tired to get ownership of that island and start charging for use of it.

And preserve it's cultural heritage.

Indescribable · #15 Posted **Dec 22, 2008, 7:15 PM**

Very interesting shots. You don't see these angles too often.

Kitchissippi · #16 Posted **May 24, 2010, 3:13 AM**

Some more angles you can't see from land, this time a bit down river from Parliament.

The Rockcliffe Eye. Someone did this piece of graffiti and you'll only see it from a boat:

I have yet to eat here at the Rockcliffe boat house, but it looks like some place in cottage country rather than right in the middle of the city.

The Ottawa New Edinburgh Club:

harls · #17 Posted **May 26, 2010, 6:01 PM**

Have you been in the river around the Champlain Bridge? From the looks of it, you could almost stand in the middle, the water levels are so low.

Kitchissippi · #18 Posted **May 26, 2010, 6:10 PM**

Yeah, the river level is almost alarmingly low. My kayak almost touches bottom 50 feet from the shore at Britannia. I can't imagine what it will be like in August, if we'll actually see parts of the river dry up

Dado · #19 Posted **May 27, 2010, 8:49 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kitchissippi

Yeah, the river level is almost alarmingly low. My kayak almost touches bottom 50 feet from the shore at Britannia. I can't imagine what it will be like in August, if we'll actually see parts of the river dry up

If it does, it'll be a great opportunity to get out onto the riverbed and look at some of the lumber industry archaeology. I wonder if the rock crib near Westboro Beach that they studiously ensure is outside the buoy line each year will become visible?

Kitchissippi · #20 Posted **May 28, 2010, 2:12 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dado

If it does, it'll be a great opportunity to get out onto the riverbed and look at some of the lumber industry archaeology. I wonder if the rock crib near Westboro Beach that they studiously ensure is outside the buoy line each year will become visible?

There is a pile of rocks just off the beach that is currently exposed, that must be it. I paddled right up to it today, I'll take a photo next time.