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.

Birding: Common Redpoll

Common Redpoll

Upper Kingsburg, NS

Jan. 23, 2015

It's been a while since I've posted here, thought this shot was worthy of jump starting the 'ole blog again.  This is my first sighting of a redpoll, I think I'm in love.  What a cutie!!!

Scrape, shiver....mutter...

Upper Kingsburg, NS

Nov. 15, 2013

I haven't been taking many pictures lately, here's a typical winter morning scene.  I'm one of the few maniacs looking forward to the snow on Sunday.  Now where did I put my ski boots?........

That's no moon...oh wait, it IS the moon

Upper Kingsburg, NS

Feb. 25, 2013

I tried messing around with night photography back on a cold and clear February night.  As you can see, the illumination from the moon was more than enough to take a photo.  I didn't feel like messing around with my tripod so I sat the camera on the deck to steady it.  I love how the clouds look bathed in the moonlight.

Windy Sentinels

 Amherst Wind Farm

Tantramar Marsh

March 4, 2013

Surely I'm not the only driver who succumbs to the Don Quixote effect when spotting this wind farm.  The drive from East - West is particularly stunning.  The first few glimpses over the horizon make one curious, then transfixed as the numerous turbines come into full view.  

I hope to see more of these dotting the landscape in years to come.  The recent Wind4All CEDIF has sold out, which hopefully bodes well for future wind power investment and development in the province.

Acadia Orchid Show - Pt.3

K.C. Irving Environmental Centre

Acadia University

Wolfville, NS

Feb. 23, 2013

Seems like a drizmal kind of day out there, I prescribe another gorgeous orchid shot to cheer you up!

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.

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. ^_^

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!

Occupy Keji!

Kejimkujik National Park

Jan. 19, 2013

Here's a shot of a band of skiers at Keji out for a tour during the Occupy Winter/Keji event on January 19th. I tagged along with them until we reached the turn off to Big Dam Lake. If you squint, you can see two additional skiers in the background.

The 'event' was part of a national campaign to have people participating in winter events at national parks across Canada. These parks are all affected by the Conservative cuts to the department, cuts which have closed all but 3 national parks for the winter season.

These park closures are extremely disappointing to those who enjoy using the parks throughout the year, including our 4th season.

Turnout was excellent, organizers tallied ~120 visitors on Saturday and ~100 on Sunday, despite the warm and rainy conditions.

Participants came from all over the Western end of the province, including Halifax, Digby, Yarmouth, Shelburne and various communities through the Annapolis Valley and South Shore.

Ski conditions on Saturday were near perfect, with temperatures hovering around the freezing mark and fresh snow falling for most of the morning and early afternoon.

The atmosphere in the Mill Falls picnic shelter was jovial as skiers and snowshoe'rs stomped inside to dry off and warm up. Rick Swain entertained with tall tales and a local painter read poetry to the attentive crowd.

It was heartening to see Eric LeBel, park superintendent, in attendance. He was chatting up the visitors and also helped supply the firewood for the wood stoves in the shelter. Park staff helped make the event possible by plowing the road to the shelter as well as unlocking it so the participants had a place to gather and stay warm.

More pics to follow from a great day of enjoying winter and showing support for our national parks system.

Indian Path Common Trail: On Frozen Pond

Indian Path Common

Blue Trail Pond

Riverport, NS

January 12, 2013

A brave trekker ventures out on the frozen pond at the end of the blue trail.

If you haven't checked out these trail, you are missing out!  Here's a map to help guide you along your way.  It's a short drive from Lunenburg and Riverport.  The lookouts provide stunning views of Lahave and the Lahave river!

Snow Day! (Wish I were skiing)

Kejimkujik National Park

Maitland Bridge (?), NS

Jan. 19, 2013

This is what the park looked like on the weekend.  Deserted, snow covered roads and lots of cross country ski tracks!

More shots to follow from the weekend's Occupy Winter/Keji activities!  

In the meantime, please read and sign this petition, calling for winter services to be restored to all national parks!

Ice Fishing in Sherbrooke, NS

Found this ice fishing video via http://novascotiafishing.com/
According to my fishing buddy, looks like the odd tommy cod gets thrown back into the hole.
Fishing gear used: Gibbs Minnow with a #2 Big eyed Hook with a snap swivel attached to the jig and the hook.
Now if only we could get some consistent ice conditions, I'll be trying my luck fishing for smelt once it's safe to venture out on the ice!

Christmas Lights

New Germany, NS

Dec. 22, 2012

High power rates be damned, folks across Lunenburg County were hanging up Christmas lights with wild abondon.  Check out this display on a garage/workshop in New Germany....Merry Christmas, indeed!

Mommy....where do socks come from?

Sock knitting machines

Halifax Crafters Merry Beary Market

Olympic Hall

Halifax, NS

Dec. 1, 2012

While perusing the offerings at the recent Halifax Crafters winter market, I did a double take after I passed a stand selling socks.  What did I just see?  Wait...was that a machine that makes socks?!?  It sure was!

From what I've gleaned online, this is a P.T. Legare Circular Knitting Machine.  Check out the many varieties of these time saving devices here.  

If you'd like to learn more about the crafter who owns this machine, check out this interview with crafter Rosie Smith on the Halifax Crafters' site.

Congrats to the organizers and crafters for another successful craft show!

Snowy drive-by

Shot from the car, somewhere in Bayport, NS.

Seemed like a good shot to share out today, now that we have returned to seasonal norms for weather...

Mossy sunset

Shot one week ago today. Another mild Monday and even warmer week awaits us!

Romkey Pond and the Setting Sun

Looking towards Romkey Pond, you can see a wee sliver of the pond in the distance. Shot Monday evening, at the end of a gorgeous day.