Caption
This is one of the very first signs of incoming spring here in the Eastern Ontario. This time of a year thousands of Canadian wild geese are coming back home from the south and crossing the Saint Lawrence River, which is the natural border between Canada and the United States. Usually geese make an intermediate landing at St. Lawrence River and you may see small bays and harbours along the river shore almost covered by resting geese.
The Canada-US border is now very peaceful and friendly and very often it is called "the longest unguarded border in the world". But not all the time it was that quiet. During the War of 1812 some battles took place here. One of these battles was the
Battle of Chrysler's Farm, Nov 11, 1813, when American troops attempted a raid to capture Montreal and were stopped here by a much smaller regiment of British, Canadians (both English- and French-speaking) and Natives. This was a critical moment in the War of 1812 and in the history of Upper Canada.
The battlefield itself is now permanently submerged after building the Cornwall dam in the 1950s which raised the water level and covered the Sault Rapids. Now the dam and locks are the part of St. Lawrence Seaway.
This pano was taken at the monument which reminds us about the battle. A terribly cold wind was blowing when we were there and you may see freezing Rob Agnel behind one of the cannons. Thanks to Rob for the idea of visiting this place.
More information about the Battle of Chrysler's Farm you may find here:
http://www.cryslersfarm.com/battle.htm
http://www.galafilm.com/1812/e/events/chryslerfarm.html
More panoramas of the Ottawa Valley and surrounding areas (including US-Canada, Ontario-Quebec and other borders and "borders") you may see at my web site
360 degrees around the Valley
www.dimensions360.com