Tulip Festival
By: Author: J Bakken

Every spring in Ottawa, thousands of tulips are planted. I travelled to our capital city in May, 2005 during the Tulip Festival and since I am an avid photographer, this city and these flowers quickly became favorites to photograph. Ottawa also quickly became one of my favourite Canadian cities because it was so beautiful. The tulips growing in every colour imaginable along the Rideau Canal and in Commissioner's Park were truly a sight to see.
I first spotted them during a bike ride along Rideau Canal and didn't get as close as I would have liked. However, later I had a few free hours to go visit them close up. The colours of yellow, tangerine, and crimson were a beautiful contrast to the green grass in the park.
As I walked along, I saw an artist painting the deep purple and light majenta coloured tulips and his canvas was as beautiful as the flowers waving in the wind before him. People stopped and simply watched him paint these beautiful flowers, a gift from Holland.
The tulip festival was a highlight of my travels to Ontario that spring and I would gladly return to visit Ottawa, especially in May, so I can soak up the beauty of the flowers, and perhaps, take a few more pictures.

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