Category: Photos of Quebec

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Photos of Canada Photos of Quebec

Pointe-au-Père and L’Islet 2023

Musée maritime du Québec in l'Islet 2023
Musée maritime du Québec in l’Islet 2023

While in L’Islet, a stop at the Musée maritime du Québec is a must. Above, the icebreaker Ernest Lapointe, responsible for clearing the St. Lawrence River between Montreal and Trois-Rivières for 37 years.

The Bras d'Or hydrofoil at the Musée de l'Islet
The Bras d’Or hydrofoil at the Musée de l’Islet

Also on the grounds is the famous HMCS Bras d’Or. This hydrofoil was created in Canada during the Cold War to monitor Canadian waters against possible Soviet submarine intrusion. As this museum boat explains, “it was compulsory to have a dual pilot’s licence for aircraft and navigation in order to operate this self-supporting winged craft“.

HMCS Onondaga submarine museum in Pointe-au-Père, Québec 2023
HMCS Onondaga submarine museum in Pointe-au-Père, Québec 2023

A little further east, we reach Pointe-au-Père, in the Rimouski region. Here you’ll find Canada’s only submarine museum.Visitors can tour the interior of the HMCS Onondaga, used until 2000. Travelers pass through 17 stations to learn about life aboard a submersible.

Inside the canadian submarine HMCS Onondaga in Pointe-au-Père
Inside the canadian submarine HMCS Onondaga in Pointe-au-Père

The mechanic worked for periods of two months at a time, monitoring the engines in this noisy, diesel-smelling environment. A German spy disembarking from a submarine at night in Gaspésie was spotted in a bus because it smelled strongly of diesel.

Empress of Ireland museum in Pointe-au-Père, Québec 2023
Empress of Ireland museum in Pointe-au-Père, Québec 2023

Above, a shot of one of the rooms in the Museum of the Empress of Ireland. Her sinking in the St. Lawrence River was the second most costly in human lives after the Titanic. Among all the objects recovered from the wreck is this porcelain skeleton that one of the passengers had in his cabin.

Skeleton head found in the Empress of Ireland
Skeleton head found in the Empress of Ireland

Click on the link for more photos from the province of Quebec on my blog.

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Photos of Canada Photos of Quebec

November in the parc national de la Jacques-Cartier.

Parc national de la rivière Jacques-Cartier, province of Quebec 2023
Parc national de la rivière Jacques-Cartier, province of Quebec 2023

In November, in downtown Quebec City, green still predominates on the grounds of properties, even if the trees have lost their leaves. But a short twenty-minute excursion north to the Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier reveals the arrival of winter.

Jacques-Cartier river, November 2023.
Jacques-Cartier river, November 2023.

Fifteen centimetres of snow already cover the ground and, after kilometer 10 in the park, the road becomes inaccessible to cars. At the main kiosk, there’s a large parking area for those wishing to continue on foot along the surrounding trails. You’ll come away more relaxed, and with a few photos.

Click on the link for more photos from the province of Québec on my blog.

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Photos of Canada Photos of Quebec

Rivière-du-Loup region 2023

Kamouraska and the St.Lawrence river 2023
Kamouraska and the St.Lawrence river 2023

The photograph shows a view of the fertile land along the St. Lawrence River in the Kamouraska region. A public observatory allows visitors to admire the panorama.

Sea kayaking on the St.Lawrence Seaway near Rivière-du-Loup
Sea kayaking on the St.Lawrence Seaway near Rivière-du-Loup

In the evening, in Rivière-du-Loup, these two kayakers enjoy the tranquility of the St. Lawrence River as they indulge in their favorite sport.

The St.Lawrence Seaway seen from Rivière-du-Loup
The St.Lawrence Seaway seen from Rivière-du-Loup

This HDR shot of a unit at the Auberge de la Pointe in Rivière-du-Loup features seven superimposed photos, for a total of 354 megabytes of data. This ensures that the sky is correctly exposed and that the rooms in the foreground are not completely obscured.

Orange rocs in Rivière-du-Loup
Orange rocs in Rivière-du-Loup

Near the Rivière-du-Loup – Saint-Siméon ferry, the rocks here and there take on an orange hue. It’s a nice contrast to the blue sky.

Ferry towards St-Siméon in the province of Québec 2023
Ferry towards St-Siméon in the province of Québec 2023

The journey takes us to Saint-Siméon on a calm seaway. A Canon EF 11-24mm F/4 USM wide-angle zoom lens captures the scene without exaggerated distortion.

Île-aux-Lièvres and the St. Lawrence river, Québec 2023.
Île-aux-Lièvres and the St. Lawrence river, Québec 2023.

Above, Île-aux-Lièvres from the ferry. The multiple cloud layers create streaky effects on the St. Lawrence River.

Auberge la Châtelaine Saint-Laurent, La Malbaie 2023.
Auberge la Châtelaine Saint-Laurent, La Malbaie 2023.

Here’s a shot of one of the corridors of the Auberge Châtelaine, in La Malbaie. One of the reasons to stop by is the excellent breakfast included after a good night’s rest. No fat bacon or greasy potatoes here: just homemade bread and jams.

Click on the link for more photos from the province of Québec on my blog.

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Photos of Quebec

The Domaine Cataraqui in Autumn.

Apples and autumn colors in Quebec City, 2023.
Apples and autumn colors in Quebec City, 2023.
Autumn colors in the domaine Cataraqui in Quebec City, 2023.
Autumn colors in the domaine Cataraqui in Quebec City, 2023.
Autumn colors in Québec City in 2023.
Autumn colors in Québec City in 2023.

Here are three photos taken during a walk through the Domaine Cataraqui in Quebec City. I used a Canon EF 11-24mm f/4 USM   lens mounted on a Canon 5DSR camera.

Click on the link for more photos of Quebec City and Île d’Orléans in Autumn on my blog.

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Photos of Europe Photos of Quebec

In the shadow of the Eiffel Tower.

Parisians chat in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower
Parisians chat in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower

Ten years ago this year, I took this photo of Parisian life in relaxation mode. I wasn’t interested in the main subject that we find on every postcard, but in the normal parallel life of citizens living close to such a well-known tourist attraction.

In the photo above, these Parisians are taking it easy on their barge moored along the Seine, in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower.

A relax evening for local citizens living near the Château Frontenac.
A relax evening for local citizens living near the Château Frontenac.

The same is true for Quebec City residents living near the Château Frontenac. They find a way to reserve a little peace and quiet for themselves, away from the tourists, quietly seated on their verandas at the end of the day.

Click on the links for more photos of Europe or Québec City and île d’Orléans on my blog.

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Photos of Quebec

Two photos of Halloween in Quebec City

Halloween in Québec City, in the Sainte-Foy-Sillery district, in 2023.
Halloween in Québec City, in the Sainte-Foy-Sillery district, in 2023.

Above, decorations made by a Sillery resident to entertain local children for Halloween. Below, passers-by on a street in Old Quebec appear to be observed by entities through a window.

Strange sensation in Old Quebec.
Strange sensation in Old Quebec.

Click on the link for more photos of Quebec City and île d’Orléans in Autumn on my blog.

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Photos of Quebec Ship photography

The Explora 1 cruise ship in Quebec City.

A "pilote du St-Laurent" leaves the Quebec harbour and heads towards the Explora 1 cruise ship in 2023.
A “pilote du St-Laurent” leaves the Quebec harbour and heads towards the Explora 1 cruise ship in 2023.

As the St. Lawrence River is a fairly difficult waterway to navigate, Canadian law obliges the captains of certain large vessels to accept local pilots, who are fully conversant with the particularities of the seaway, on board for the riskiest journeys.

Above, a Laurentian pilotage authority’s boat leaves the port of Québec to join the cruise ship Explora 1 before it enters the most demanding passages.

Once the Quebec pilot has helped the Explora 1 captain, the ship continues on its way to Quebec City, rounding the Île d’Orléans, as shown in the photo below. After playing its role as a sea cab, the little boat belonging to the St. Lawrence Pilots pulls away from the ship and returns to the Bassin Louise in the Port of Québec.

The Explora 1 cruise ship sails around île d'Orléans and a "pilote du Saint-Laurent" comes back to the Québec harbour in 2023.
The Explora 1 cruise ship sails around île d’Orléans and a “pilote du Saint-Laurent” comes back to the Québec harbour in 2023.
Returning to Quebec harbour after a change of pilot in the Explora 1 cruise ship. 2023.
Returning to Quebec harbour after a change of pilot in the Explora 1 cruise ship. 2023.

Serena Melani, “the first woman in the world to steer a cruise ship out of a shipyard“, ensures a smooth approach for the Explora 1 to Pier 30 in the Port of Québec. This brand-new vessel completed its sea trials in April 2023, and Quebec City is among the first destinations scheduled for 2023.

The Explora 1 approaching Quebec City with Mont St-Anne in the background 2023
The Explora 1 approaching Quebec City with Mont St-Anne in the background 2023

Every captain would love to dock at the popular Pier 22, as it offers a perfect view of the Château Frontenac. But on this fine October day, the Norwegian Sky is already occupying the spot.

The Norwegian Sky cruise ship docked in Quebec City.
The Norwegian Sky cruise ship docked in Quebec City.

Click on the link for more photos of Quebec City and Île d’Orléans in Autumn on my blog.

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Photos of Quebec

A few autumn photos from Quebec City.

Fall landscape in Quebec City 2023
Fall landscape in Quebec City 2023
Tree with autumn colors in Québec City in 2023.
Tree with autumn colors in Québec City in 2023.
Sainte-Anne street during Fall in Old Quebec.
Sainte-Anne street during Fall in Old Quebec.

Here are a few photos of nature and Old Quebec while there are still leaves on the trees. This year, the autumn colors are spectacular and the leaves are hanging on the trees longer, as the frost is more than a week behind the normal average. This means more outings and more memories!

Click on the link for more photos of Quebec City and Île d’Orléans in Autumn on my blog.

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Photography Photos of Quebec

Fall colours in Québec City.

Autumn in Quebec City
Autumn in Quebec City

You don’t have to go far to find magnificent autumn-colored trees in Quebec City. But you’ll have to hurry to photograph them, because the show doesn’t last long, especially with the red leaves.

Click on the link for other photos of Québec City and l’île d’Orléans in Autumn on my blog.

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Photos of Quebec Ship photography

The Norwegian Joy in Québec City

The Norwegian Joy cruise ship docked at pier 22 in Quebec City in 2023.
The Norwegian Joy cruise ship docked at pier 22 in Quebec City in 2023.

The Norwegian Joy cruise ship, which weighs close to 168,000 tons, is one of the biggest ships to dock in Old Quebec in autumn.

The Norwegian Joy cruise ship docked in Quebec City in 2023
Le navire de croisière Norwegian Joy amarré à Québec à l’automne 2023.

It can accommodate 3,852 passengers and, for onboard service, there are 1,851 crew members – almost one employee for every two holidaymakers. The ship was built in 2017. Despite its young age, it benefited from renovations in 2020.

Sliding down the tube on the Norwegian Joy cruise ship

Sliding down the tube on the Norwegian Joy cruise ship

In the photo above, you can see a transparent tube raised above the upper deck in the top left-hand corner. With an enlarged photo, you’ll see that people are sliding down this water slide upside down. The shot below will help you get a better look at the guy in the red and blue swimsuit speeding by. The camera’s shutter speed had to be set to 1/2000 to avoid motion blur.

Sliding down the tube on the Norwegian Joy cruise ship 2023
Sliding down the tube on the Norwegian Joy cruise ship 2023

That day, I was only carrying a Canon EF 11-24 mm f/4 USM zoom lens. I had to crop the photo a little to enlarge it, but you can still see the scene quite well. Part of the tube gives the sportsman the impression of suddenly plunging to the ground, as the installation protrudes over the sides of the ship.

Looking for dangerous goods on the Norwegian Sky cruise ship in Quebec City
Looking for dangerous goods on the Norwegian Sky cruise ship in Quebec City

While people are enjoying themselves on the upper deck, a whole team is busy refueling the ship and ensuring its safety. In the photo above, a dog can even be seen going around the pallets to detect any dangerous or illicit products.

The Norwegian Joy cruise ship in Québec.
The Norwegian Joy cruise ship in Québec.

Here’s a final photo of the Norwegian Joy, taken from inside a recently built cedar gangway near Quay 22 in the Port of Quebec. The sun filtering through the rungs provides a beautiful play of light, all captured by a Canon EF 11-24 mm f/4 USM zoom lens set to 11 mm. The effect is further enhanced by the pseudo HDR mode offered by digital processing software.

Click on the link for more photos of Quebec City and Île d’Orléans in Autumn on my blog.