Acadia Orchid Show - Pt.2

K.C. Irving Environmental Centre

Acadia University

Wolfville, NS

Feb. 23, 2013

It was hard to meter shots in this sunny greenhouse.  Luckily, my S95 is smarter than me, Auto ISO and Program mode to the rescue!

Stay tuned for more shots of the gorgeous blossoms...

Hello, Old Friend

Upper Kingsburg, NS

Feb. 25, 2013

One of my favourite things about Winter is seeing Orion in the night sky.  If you have trouble finding the Pleiades constellation, use the 3 stars in Orion's belt as your guide.  The line they create points in the direction of the Seven Sisters.  I always enjoy seeing Orion for the first time and am saddened when it dips below the horizon.

I took a bunch of shots the other night, taking advantage of the extremely bright full moon, stay tuned for more moonlit shots.

Acadia Orchid Society Show and Sale

KC Irving Environmental Science Centre and Harriet Irving Botanical Gardens

Wolfville, NS

Feb. 23, 2013

Last weekend, I had the pleasure of attending an orchid show and sale hosted by the Orchid Society of Nova Scotia and the Valley Orchid Growers.

To describe the blooms as incredible would be a gross understatement. Several looked unreal, as if they were hand crafted in fondant by a master cake maker. 

I will be returning to Acadia's botanical gardens this spring/summer, looks interesting!

More orchid pics to follow.....

New System: Spellcheck.....or not.

Exit 11 Irving

Blockhouse, NS

Feb. 23, 2013

Signs like this and the public's general mistrust of rounding cash totals up/down to adjust to life without the penny make me sad. Both are GLARING signs of the general failure of the education system to teach basic spelling and math skills.  

It is comforting to know, that when the person who made these signs goes to a job interview or meeting, they will be promp.

File under .

So long, Skye

Calmac Ferry Hebrides

Isle of Skye, Scotland

June 23, 2012

So much for all that rainy weather people talk about when describing Scotland.  Here's further evidence of sun for all those getting down with the Forevuary blues.

This image was shot from the deck of the Calmac Ferry Hebrides, shortly after departing Uig.   This ferry travels to Tarbert on the Isle of Harris (or, Harris as the locals call it).  You can almost see the hostel atop the hill in the distance, where we laid our heads the previous evening.

Big Ex Demo Derby: Mean Machine

The Big Ex

Demolition Derby

July 29, 2012

If I remember correctly, this was a '72 Chevy Malibu.  All that really matters is that this car is one mean mother effer.  

The driver was a 'seasoned pro', as you can see by how little damage was incurred after multiple sessions of 'smash and crash'.

If you get a chance to check out a demolition derby, DO IT!

Spring is in the Air?

Upper Kingsburg, NS

January, 2013

This morning, while waiting in the lobby at the Lunenburg Fisherman's Memorial Hospital, several elderly gents hobbled in and sat down.  One of them commented, "it's a good day to be alive, ain't it?  Spring is in the air."  I couldn't agree more.

But, sadist that I am, I do love my winter and if I'm lucky, a winter that comes with lots of snow.  

Here's a shot from the intrepid Upper Kinsburg Nordic crew out for an XC ski expedition after a fresh coating of snow.  The wind was making its way through our jackets, our fingers and faces were cold.  The dusting of snow on the trees and the gorgeous clouds in the sky that day were our reward for enduring a classic Canadian winter outing.  

The piping warm thermos of choclatey chai tea, slurped down in the shelter of a millionaire's new hilltop house under construction, made for a pleasant break from the cold winds.  

It was a good day.

You know you live by the coast when...

Lower Rose Bay

Feb. 13, 2013

....the snow plow becomes the seaweed plow.  

This is the typical aftermath of a nor'easter, such as the one that rolled over Nova Scotia last weekend. Some of those berms/piles of seaweed are waist high!  

If you need some mulch material, please....come pick it up. ^_^

Almost forgot, it's Shrove/Pancake Tuesday!

Get your pancake on, chances are there is one in your neighbourhood!

Tuesday, February 12

Homemade Pancake and Sausage Supper, 

Chelsea and District Fire Hall.

4:30- 6:30. 

Adults $6, children $3, under 5 free. 

Dessert: strawberry shortcake. 

Proceeds to the Fire Department.

Tuesday, February 12

Pancake and Sausage Supper 

Location: Central United Church Hall, Lincoln St., Lunenburg

4:30-6:30 p.m.

Price: Adults $6; children (6-12) $3; children (under 6) free. 

Menu: Pancakes, sausages, dessert (apple crisp with whipped cream topping) tea and coffee. 

Please come and enjoy this annual event and fellowship with family and friends.

Tuesday, February 12

Pancake and Sausage Supper,

4:30 p.m. 

Holy Trinity Anglican Church Parish Hall, 

78 Alexandra Avenue, Bridgewater. 

Adults $6, children (12 &under) $3; 5 and under free. 

Sponsored by Holy Trinity Men's Group (Guild of Saint Joseph)

Tuesday, February 12

Pancake Supper-Shrove Tuesday,

St. Mark's Anglican Church, Martin's Point

4 -  6:30 p.m.

Adults $6, children $3, under 5 free.

February 12

Pancake Supper.

4:30- 6:00 p.m. 

Petite Riviere Fire Hall. 

Adults $7, children $3, under 5 free

Pancakes, sausages, fruit kabobs, biscuits, brownie sundae.

Stormdate: February 13.

Tuesday, February 12

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper: 

West Side United Church, Pentz,

4-6 p.m. 

Pancakes, sausages and dessert. 

Adults: $7, students: $4 and children under 5 free.

February 12

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, 

Masonic Hall, Caledonia.

4- 6:30. 

Adults $6; children $4, under 5 free.

Best use of a smart car ever?

Every now and then on my morning commute, I get stuck behind a human speed bump.  A smart car owner who insists on driving a solid 20-30 km/h below the posted speed limit.  

Recently, I got stuck behind said smart car owner on snow covered roads. I noticed every time it drove over some snow, two rooster tails of snow would spit out from its rear tires.  At first I thought the tires were very grippy and this was how tire tread cleans itself.  Then I observed other cars driving by and noticed that none of those cars (nor my own) were producing snowy fountains of snow out the rear end.  I then realized this human speed bump is either: A) not using winter tires, or B) using winter tires but the car is so light it cannot create any traction.

At any rate, I hope the human speed bump isn't surprised when I pass him on a double line.  Sorry buddy, my kite buggy can move faster than you.

I leave you with this ridiculous video of a smart car fitted with the engine from one of the world's fastest production motorcyles.  Awesome.

Occupy Keji: Those Crazy Canucks

Kejimkujik National Park

Jan. 19, 2013

Does it get more Canadian than this?

Classic Gilles Vigneault Mon Pays quote? Check.

Rosy cheeks? Check.

Support for national parks? Check!

These hardy folks were having a grand old time during last month's Occupy Keji/Winter activities. They were nice enough to pose for me after I took a group shot for them.

This picture sums up the atmosphere of that day perfectly. A shared love of our 4th season and for our national parks.

If you haven't signed up already, please take a moment to sign this petition to restore winter services to all national parks. Thanks!

Occupy Keji: Skijor, For Sure.

Kejimkujik National Park

Jan. 19, 2013

While I was skiing my way back from Big Dam Lake I ran across this guy skijoring with his dog.  

Do you have a dog that likes to pull (i.e. Husky)?  Can you ski?  Find a dog harness and let your pooch help pull you up those hills!  Or heck, on the flats too.

I haven't tried it myself but it looks like a lot of fun, check out this guy skijoring with 12 dogs!