Newfoundland: Woody Point Deadhead

Woody Point, NL

June 15, 2013

Not that kind of deadhead, silly.

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.  

The Life of a Northwoods Trailblazer Sure is Tough

Just looking at my old little guy makes me tired.  I found him in a random box in the attic at my mom's house.  

A quick search online found the playset.  If you stumble across any Adventure People figures at a yard sale, pick 'em up!  Sets include such exciting things as 'Wild Animal Safari', 'Super Speed Racer' and 'Daredevil Sports Van'.  There are some nice pics of the figures and sets on this site.

Barn Sized Mountain Ash

Lower Rose Bay, NS

Sept. 15, 2013

I had a few precious minutes to spare en route to the Lahave ferry, so I pulled over and snapped a couple shots.  Glad I was up to catch the nice morning light on this barn.

Now that's a big mountain ash!  Trying to get as many shots of 'em as I can before the berries fade.....won't be long now especially with the risk of frost forecast for tonight.

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.

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.

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: 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: 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?  

Newfoundland: Tickle Point

Tickle Point

St. Paul's, NL

June 20, 2013

After a pleasant stroll through coastal wildflower fields, Anglican and Catholic graveyards and sheep pastures we came upon this small collection of fishing shacks that were ripe for photographing.  I'm sure it's a popular spot for photo op's, but finding the access to 'Tickle Point' is not easy.  For some reason, the sign which explains the area is only accessible once you are on the trail, not at the beginning nor at the end.  Puzzling.

We found old rusty bus seats arranged around washing machine fire pits.  Rusted snowmobiles sat beside rotting lobster traps.  I'm glad we got photos before the THICK bank of fog rolled in.  She was some tick.

Newfoundland: Green Point Landscape

Green Point, NL

June 21, 2013

I'm slowly realizing it's hard to take a bad shot at Gros Morne National Park...or maybe I got lucky?  Green Gardens can be seen in the distance.....

Newfoundland: Green Point Boat

Green Point, NL

June 21, 2013

It was a windy 'ole solstice out at Green Point that day.  On the plus side, the gusty winds kept the bugs down so we didn't mind.  

I overlooked this photo on my first pass of my Newfoundland snaps, but I'm glad I rediscovered it.  I love the clouds and white caps as well as the random stop sign leaning up against the fishing shack.

Crescent Beach Clam or Quahog Digging?

Crescent Beach, NS

May 26, 2013

I'm not sure if these folks are digging for clams or quahogs....I'm guessing clams, but who knows.  One way or the other, I'm sure they had a tasty feast after this outting!

Campfire - Don't Forget to Look Up

Thomas Raddal Provincial Park

Walk in sites group camp fire pit

East Port L'Hebert, NS

June 2, 2013

We had a big 'ole fire in the group fire pit that night, which cast this amazing warm light on the trees above us.

Thomas Raddal - Walk in Sites: Group Campfire Pit

Thomas Raddal Provincial Park

East Port L'Hebert, NS

June 1, 2013

I am smitten with the walk in tent sites at this park.  Especially because they have a group campfire pit surrounded by benches!  

Here's a shot I snapped from my campsite, looking back at the warm glow from the fire...

Scotland: Skye scene

Uig, Scotland

June 22, 2012

Another blast from the past...this time on the Isle of Skye in Scotland.

I like this shot of a man tending his potato plants under the  setting sun.  Uig turned out to be a fun excursion from the nearby hostel.  

We ended up at the local pub, with the best seats in the house.  We were just in time for that evening's Euro 2012 match (Greece v Germany).  Turns out the local fans hated Germany more than Greece.  I learned that lesson the awkward way, after I let a quiet cheer out when Germany made a good attempt on goal.  It was only after the pub erupted into clapping and cheering after Greece's goal that I realized I was on the 'wrong' side.  Whoops!

Birding: American Eagle!

Rose Bay, NS

May 10, 2013

I spotted this beautiful bird Friday morning on my drive to work.  

There were two sopping wet eagles on the shoreline.  I quickly brought my car to a standstill on the shoulder and scrambled to find my camera.  

This one was drying off after a night of heavy rain.  The other eagle was eating....something.

Burn Permit

Riverport, NS

April 30, 2013

April showers bring May flowers, is there a rhyme for April bonfires?

I love how ghostly the figures look in this image, as well as the contrast of the sodium street lights on the left with the new LED street lights on the right.

Try as we might, we were not able to get the fire big enough to burn off the encroaching fog bank.  Next year....