Winter Tracks

Upper Kingsburg, NS

Feb. 6, 2015

Just us winter critters, out exploring the fresh snow. Consistent cold temperatures have produced excellent skiing conditions.  Lots of powdery snow atop a hard, crusty base.  I'm in heaven.

Newfoundland: Trout River Pond

Trout River Pond

Gros Morne National Park

Trout River, NL

June 17, 2013

If Google Maps is to be believed, 'technically' the body of water in the foreground is Trout River Small Pond.  If you are thinking, "that's a lake, not a pond!", welcome to Newfoundland.  Where lakes are ponds and ponds are.....I have no idea.

Newfoundland: The Tablelands

Gros Morne National Park

Woody Point, NL

June 16, 2013

I'm in a Gros Morne state of mind these days so here's another shot from this summer's trip to the rock. I'm surprised I've not posted more shots from The Tablelands, this is only the start.

This boardwalk is one of the 'official' walks into the tablelands, though you can ramble anywhere you want to if you so desire.  I hear that this bowl is a magnet for backcountry snow lovers, packing boards and skis for a rip down the slopes.

Nothing says ultramafic rock like the peridotite found in the tablelands.  One must experience this place first hand to truly get a sense of how other worldy this landscape looks and feels.  

Newfoundland: The Road to Tickle Point

Tickle Point

St. Paul's, NL

June 20, 2013

It seems like such a long time since we walked out this rocky road to scope out the fishing shacks of Tickle Point.  You can see a bank of fog lurking in the distance, it disappeared as quickly as it arrived.  Thick and grey.

Fall foliage sunset

New Cumberland, NS

Oct. 13, 2013

A gorgeous end to a fine Fall day.  That's an old steam powered shingle mill in the distance.

Hirtle's Beach Sunset Gold

Hirtle's Beach

Kingsburg, NS

Oct. 10, 2013

I was looking for waves but all I found was this amazing sunset.  What a rip off! ;-)

Shadowy Barn on a Shadowy Planet

Upper Kingsburg, NS

Aug. 30, 2013

I managed to capture a nice late summer long shadow on the 'ole barn a month ago (or so), happy with the results!

Discover Thomas Raddall Provincial Park

Thomas Raddall Provincial Park

East Port L'Hebert, NS

Camper's Beach

Sept. 1, 2013

If you haven't discovered Thomas Raddall Provincial Park, you are missing out.  The staffer at the front gate summed it up well, "pretty much every trail leads to a beach".  She was not kidding!

A short stroll from the walk-in tent sites leads you to this pristine piece of paradise.  Looks like some windsurfers have figured it out!

The day use beach is gorgeous as well, we spotted piping plovers the last time we visited.

The park closes for the season October 14th, don't delay.  It's worth the drive to East Port L'Hebert!

Kingsburg: Apples and Ash

Kingsburg, NS

Sept. 12, 2013

A sunset shot on the way back from the beach.  My old pal, American Mountain Ash hanging out beside some apple trees.  Fall is on its way, WAAAAH!

Mountain Ash Mayhem Continues

 Lower Rose Bay, NS

Sept. 7, 2013

  Lower Rose Bay, NS

Sept. 7, 2013

 Lower Rose Bay, NS

Sept. 7, 2013

To be honest, I have no idea where Lower Rose Bay ends and Kingsburg/Upper Kingsburg begins.  At any rate, this one is on the road from Rose Bay to Kingsburg, close to the turn off to Upper Kingsburg.

Gorgeous!

Mother of Mountain Ash (American)

 Kingsburg, NS

Sept. 7, 2013

 Kingsburg, NS

Sept. 7, 2013

Not sure if it's a Rose Bay/Kingsburg thang, but there are tons of gorgeous American Mountain Ash trees showing off their red berries right now.  I have started to photograph my faves.  Stay tuned for more in the days/weeks to come!

If this piques your interest in the trees around you, check out this handy guide to identifying trees of the Acadian Forest.

Kingsburg Kloud

Kingsburg, NS

Aug. 23, 2013

Interesting light on this 'spaceship of a cloud' spotted at sunset.  

I love the light blue against the pink and darker blue/grey in the background.

Upper Kingsburg Blue Moon

Upper Kingsburg, NS

Aug. 20, 2013

As I was heading to bed, I looked outside and though I had left the outdoor light on...turns out it was just this gorgeous blue moon illuminating the yard.  Divine.

My God, it's full of clouds...

Rose Bay, NS

Aug. 5, 2013

One of those special shots, no filters, no adjustments.  I'm so glad I took 3 minutes to pull over and snap a shot of this scene, simply luverly.

Ridiculous Riverport Sunset

Riverport, NS

July 3, 2013

Somebody pinch me.  Yet another reward for fishing just before dusk, a sunset view up the Lahave river that looks unreal.  Soak it in.

Newfoundland: Wonderful Western Brook Pond

Western Brook Pond

Gros Morne National Park, NL

June 20, 2013

I could fill up a post full of travel brochure cliches to describe the stunning vistas one can view on the Western Brook Pond boat tour.  I'll let the image speak for itself.

If you find yourself in Gros Morne, do yourself a favour and take the boat tour of the park, it is worth every penny.

Newfoundland: Stunning Green Gardens

Green Gardens

Gros Morne National Park, NL

June 18, 2013

Spoiler alert, this is one of the many rewards you will receive when hiking the excellent Green Gardens trail in Gros Morne National Park.

This shot marked the point where we turned around and headed back up the several hundred stairs that stood between us and our car.  I would love to attempt the complete loop of this trail, but maybe when I'm up to fording Wallace brook....in June.

Newfoundland: Green Gardens

Green Gardens Trail

Gros Morne National Park

June 18, 2013

Green Gardens: yet another stunning trail to hike while in Gros Morne.  

This one involves many, MANY stairs to traverse.  You head down the stairs towards the coast.  Unfortunately, what goes down...must go up.  Pacing yourself on the reverse/uphill trek is recommended.

The portion of the trail that winds along the coast is the pay off.  There are several backcountry camping spots along the coast which I'd love to check out on another visit.

Sheep can be seen grazing along this trail on the many meadows/fields.  The landscape almost reminded me of the Scottish Highlands in parts.  A highlight of our visit, for sure.

Newfoundland: Trout River Pond

Trout River Pond, NL

June 17, 2013

This is the reward you claim when hiking the stunning Trout River Pond trail in Gros Morne National Park.  I am glad our friends/guides encouraged us to complete the hike, they kept talking about "the payoff".  Boy, they were not exaggerating! 

The trail is a ~15 km round trip.  The first half winds its way through typical softwood forest.  It is only once you emerge from the trees that you start to get stunning views of the tablelands.  

It was odd how quickly I became accustomed to sitting in front of a landscape that more resembles Mars than Earth.  The contrast is indeed extreme.  One side of the pond (aka lake) is treed/wooded while the other side is stark and rocky.  Those rocks form what is known as the Tablelands, one of the few places on Earth where one can walk on the Earth's mantle!

I highly encourage one and all to experience this trail and Gros Morne National Park.  It is truly one of our national treasures.

Newfoundland: Bonne Bay Particular Lenticular?

Woody Point, NL

June 16, 2013

Have I captured an elusive lenticular cloud? 

Looks like it could be, Gros Morne is nearby which might be the source of the unique conditions required to produce these gorgeous clouds.

What say you, readers?