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  the Old Town Clock  

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Uploaded: 09/05/10 2:53 AM GMT
the Old Town Clock
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This particular clock tower is one of the most recognizable landmarks of historic Halifax, NS. So if I want to see what time it is I have a 200 km round trip to find out. This photo was taken about a month ago, so the time may be off a little. Pretty much presented as shot, outside of straightening, cropping and resizing.

The idea of a clock for the British Army and Royal Navy garrison at Halifax is credited to Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, who arranged for a turret clock to be manufactured before his return to England in 1800. It is said that Prince Edward, then commander-in-chief of all military forces in British North America, wished to resolve the tardiness of the local garrison.

The clock tower is a three-tiered (three storey), irregular octagon tower built atop a one storey white clapboard building of classic Palladian proportions. It was erected on the east slope of Citadel Hill facing Barrack (now Brunswick) Street. The clock face is 4-sided displaying Roman numerals. As with most clocks the "4" is shown as IIII for aesthetic symmetry and not as IV.

The clock mechanism was constructed by the "House of Vulliamy", respected Royal Clockmakers based in London. It is driven by three weights, gears, and a 13-foot pendulum with the mechanism being housed in a cast iron frame located in the "clock room", immediately below the belfry. Its bell strikes hourly and quarterly and the durability of the mechanism (which dates to the original installation) is attributed to its slow movement.

The Town Clock began keeping time for the garrison on October 20, 1803. All that courtesy of wikipedia.

Hope you enjoy and your comments welcomed.

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::luckyshot
09/05/10 3:03 AM GMT
Wendell - A wonderful capture of this impressive clock building with the citadel flags visible at the top of the hill. My photo of this building, from the trip to Nova Scotia, had may dark clouds behind it, not this bright summer sky. Good work! Thad
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If I could tell the story in words, I wouldn't need to lug around a camera. ~Lewis Hine
::0930_23
09/05/10 3:52 AM GMT
I could be wrong but blue/white seems to be the predominant colors in this one Wendell. I know there is a sliver of green. It really works well. Interesting narrative and a cracker of a shot.

VFS-TicK

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Cameras are like people--sometimes they lose focus.
.palral
09/05/10 4:20 AM GMT
Hey Wendell....

I like the fact that the clock tower is off center. It's a beautiful structure. You picked a great day for photos with that glorious blue sky and the fluffy clouds. Looks like the roof is made of copper. All the technical stuff is right on the button.

Roger
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"I ask you...Just where does the fire go when it goes out?" -Ben Dover
.elektronist
09/05/10 9:53 AM GMT
Beautiful scene and shot, Wendell. I liked simplicity and great composition very much. The beautiful clouds in the blue sky is added bonus. Perfect colors and lighting.

Tanju
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Be free - use Linux
::DiverDown60
09/05/10 12:49 AM GMT
Very nice photograph. Well presented, with good color and clarity. Thanks for sharing and stuff.

Charles
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You are only given one life make the most of it for God and others around you.
::trixxie17
09/05/10 2:33 PM GMT
Saved and faved Wendell - this is as crisp and beautiful a shot as I've seen of late. Really well done - could be in a Canadian travel brochure.
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. . . "What a desolate place would be a world without a flower! It would be a face without a smile, a feast without a welcome." A.J. Balfour
.catweasel
09/05/10 3:40 PM GMT
I can only echo what Kathy's just said Wendell. Including the saved and faved bit!
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"A word to the wise is infuriating." Hunter Stockton Thompson (1937-2005)
.gizmo1
09/05/10 4:01 PM GMT
Great looking photo and the angle you took this one is spot on.The colours in the building is a nice front to the blue sky as well.Plus thanks for the history on the building.
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.holliscdl
09/05/10 4:19 PM GMT
Beautiful image Wendell! I like that you have the clock off-center to include more of the green hill to add contrast to the blue sky background.
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.Susiesun
09/05/10 4:49 PM GMT
**

Wonderful post today, Wendell! Very intersting history of tuis so so beautiful town clock, and the composition is stunning! Love it! And it is a marvellous wallpaper also! It is all very nice, thank you! Have a good week, my friend! :-)
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Susie Sun
Logun7
09/05/10 5:12 PM GMT
»»-»»((*-:¦:-*))»»-»» Fantastic Shot ««-««(( *-:¦:-*))»»-»»
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every day is a gift......that's why it's called the present!!
::busybottle
09/05/10 10:48 PM GMT
Wendell
I love the history! Nice narrative! You got just a bright, sunny, and beautiful image here! Love that sky! and of coarse the clock tower.
Paul
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I ate a porcupine and..... it hurts!
.Starglow
09/05/10 11:05 PM GMT
Very fine shot. Great vivid colors.
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::J_E_F
09/06/10 2:27 AM GMT
What a corker! Like how you've got it off to the right of the scene.
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¦:º)
.kindred_spirit
09/06/10 8:54 AM GMT
A magnificent capture. Great composition, Wendell.
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I shut my eyes in order to see.
::casechaser
09/06/10 3:04 PM GMT
Wonderful clarity. I found both the picture and your narrative very interesting.
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.rvdb
09/06/10 6:28 PM GMT
Fav. and save. Very nice Wendell.

Rob
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The reason why the sunsets in the evening is because it wants to see the sunrise in the morning. I rise in the morning because I want to see them both. RvdB
.hirschikiss22
09/08/10 6:44 PM GMT
I love the colors of this...very vibrant and pretty
~Kim
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Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain
.koca
09/10/10 12:15 AM GMT
Interesting shot, good idea shooting this excellent. I like it.
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.Tedi
09/10/10 10:35 PM GMT
Lovely picture, it's a beautiful tower, pretty colors.
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.bijantalukdar
09/13/10 2:07 AM GMT
Beautiful!!!!!!!!!!! Bijan
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.kcalki
09/17/10 2:39 PM GMT
The grass the grass the grass! I promise that I don't have any mental problems associated with grass but oh the colors in this! Such a beautiful day and a great eye, very nice shot! :)
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Kahle
.BLynne
03/18/11 8:23 PM GMT
Wendell this shot almost seems surreal (in a good way) - like the clock tower is alone on a patch of grass that's floating in the clouds. It's dreamlike! And thanks for the history...very interesting.
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