Welcome, friends... I'm delighted you took the time to wend your way to my web site "The Nature of Ottawa.com." It's been many years in the making and reflects my continued passion for photography and my gratitude for your support. 

There are over 200 photographs on this site taken exclusively by Barbara White (all rights reserved). Separate galleries reflect the different themes and trajectories that are emerging from this ever-evolving work. While the bias is clearly in favour of nature, landscape, and macro photography, a quick tour and you will readily discern that “The Nature of Ottawa” is an intentional double entendre; urban photography is also well represented. The photo of an insignificant bit of graffiti at Carleton University which reads "School is for alcaholics" (sic) continues to be an amused favourite.

All of the photographs on this site were serendipitously acquired over many years riding my bicycle in and around Ottawa. Sincere appreciation to the National Capital Commission (NCC) for maintaining an extensive network of bike paths and parks on both sides of the Ottawa River.  We are fortunate here in Ottawa to enjoy such amenities and partake in their summer and winter festivals (e.g., "Winterlude" on the Rideau Canal). 

The first version of "The Nature of Ottawa.com" emerged during the period of the illness and death of my parents and the cessation of my PhD research in (neuro-)Anthropology.  The site garnered positive attention culminating in an invitation to participate in two annual calendars celebrating "Ontario's talented photographers". The next incarnation will reflect the added benefits of having travelled across Canada and in and around the Caribbean, New Zealand,  Australia and Tasmania. Stay tuned… An effort to refine the use of galleries to convey more subtle commentaries and paradigms seems warranted. It becomes apparent that Canada in general and Ottawa in particular is as beautiful as any exotic locale one might have the privilege of visiting.

Time permitting, do visit the tribute gallery to my sweet mother, Jane Jordan, who passed away August 28th, 2007 at the age of 81. She did more for this city and the cultural arts scene from 1971-2007 than most busy folks know or have time to remember. Heartfelt thanks to Ronnie Brown, Sylvia Adams, Karl Gordon, Cyril Dabydeen, Blaine Marchand, Hans Peterson and Seymour Mayne (to name but a few) for their grace and kindness. Please note: If you would like to purchase a copy of Jane's last book of poetry, "A Signature of Leaves" (2004) and/or read more about her efforts in promoting the works of other Canadian poets, writers, artists and musicians (a habit she acquired from her father - my grandfather, Mr. Franklin Fletcher Appleton who published Hugh MacLennan's Two Solitudes), please visit the publisher's website at Penumbra Press.

Permit me likewise to invite you to pay your respects to my dearest father - "My Hero" Mr. G. Russell White - who passed away November 7th, 2008, at the age of 83. Russell grew up in the Lawrence Park area of Toronto and served as a "Leading Aircraftman" in the Royal Canadian Air Force from 1943-1946, earning the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal. His career as a Chartered Accountant (UofT B.A. 1949; C.A. 1958) was distinguished by significant contributions to Massey Ferguson, Rio Algom, and (from 1971-1990) Revenue Canada.  All of the photographs on this site are a testament to the eternal gratitude I will always feel for having been raised in this beautiful city. Nicely done, folks!

Barbara A. White, M.A.

barbara [at] thenatureofottawa [dot] com 
(613) 322-8932