Thursday 24 April 2014

the calming of the sea


A rainy day today with spring having made a definite foothold here in the Annapolis Valley. The lilies that Wally had so wanted up in time for my sister's visit are resolutely pushing their way up, as are other bulb plants like the tulips and daffodils. Knowing the heat that is to come (now that I've been informed that Kentville is nicknamed "Hell's Kitchen"), I'm glad of the cool temperatures for a little while longer.

Next in a series of travel pictures are a few from our trip to Peggy's Cove. Coincidentally, my sister has just posted her photographs of our visit there so have a look at her unique perspective!
 

The land approaching the Sea becomes more rugged,
 supporting life that can live on the thin, windswept soil
 
Eventually the trees give way to all but a few natural bonsai, stunted by the harsh conditions
 
Now the landscape is more barren and only the hardiest survive.
A huge boulder stands as a lonely sentry on the hill.
 
I'm a softie for the micro world of the barrens' floor, amazed by the fabulous colour
 
Now we are nearing the town, but still it is wild and rough terrain, the sea roaring beyond.
 
Wally gives scale to the rocky scape
 

Again my eye is cast down, as much for footing as for beauty


 
 
I love seeing my sister so happy; she thrives on the ruggedness of nature
 
It pleases me to see her in her natural environment
 though I'm sure she'd love a few more trees and some...HEAT!
 
and now we've come into the little town of  Peggy's Cove
 
Where you can't take a bad picture
 
These boats were here I think 5 years ago when we first came out here
 
Left to rot for the tourists...
 
I made this shot in sepia just to see what someone else's photos might have looked like 80 years ago,

A calm harbour on a Wednesday, only 2 weeks ago... and yet, it feels like another lifetime.

The sharp transition at the breakwater that separates the crashing waves from this cozy bay
 
The sea roils beyond
 
 
I will have more shots to share of this intensely wonderful place, but not until next week. In the meantime, I have finally carved some time out for playtime in the studio and hope to have something to share with you next time I post.
 
Keep your little harbour calm
 

Monday 21 April 2014

the eternal in each moment

 
I must be having fun, because time is flying. It seems so long ago and yet it is only 2 1/2 weeks ago that I took my sister on her first outing. I had to find some eagles for her, so I took her to my favourite spot, the crest of hill north of Port Williams and sure enough...
 
a female Bald Eagle was there
 
Then it was off to the beach at Kingsport at low tide
where the sticky red mud captured the footprints of seagulls
 
After a picnic lunch, we headed over to Halls Harbour where the tide was still out
 
We wandered along the rocky beach
 
to explore the cliffs

and the false caves that look so deep from a distance
 
The hoary melt and freeze of the early spring runoff
 
made a constant dripping sound
 
and I risked getting in close
 
to shoot the dripping water

even though I suspected some rocks would come loose,
and sure enough - they did!
 
a fishing boat takes off into the Minas Channel
(that leads to Minas Basin around Cape Blomidon, to the right -east- not seen here)
 
a beautiful sea lichen covered rock
 
a natural bowl of sea water
 
the tide comes gently in
 
another bowl of sea water
 
Fractured faceted rocks

the ubiquitous nylon fisherman's rope debris
 
a root, the boulders, the rocky beach, the sea
 
STEVE was here
 
peaceful Halls Harbour off season
 
The tide comes gently into the harbour
 
Spring has definitely made its way into Nova Scotia. The crocuses are up in the lawn and the tulips are moving in. The lilac is in bud. Robins have been back for a month now. We see signs of nest building. Thankfully I have made a dent in my own clean up, enough to give me permission to start at some creative play again, though there is still yard work to do.
 
I have more pictures to share from my sister's visit where I got to play tourist too. Hopefully I will have some art work to share soon again.
 
Spring.
 
Hope springs eternal in the human breast
Alexander Pope
 
Let us always look to this moment,
 laying hope and regret to rest.
It is in this moment
that the eternal exists.
 
 


Tuesday 15 April 2014

a south shore holiday


Yes, I have been away from my blog for a while. Trying to carve a space out in our down-sizing challenged house for the visit of my sister last week. Of course, when any visitors come, we get to play tourist too. After a crazy winter for many of us, what a treat to go gallivanting!

Here are a few pictures taken over 2 days along the South Shore, with more to come.

Here's a handsome fellow in a parking lot
 
a Preening Break
 
each going to work in their own way
 
a cruise through scenic Herring Cove
 
the lobster traps piled high

only a curve in the road to the open sea.
Can you see the 2 people under the tree? This gives a hint at the size of those waves
 
the ebb
 
and flow of the incoming tide
 
with a crash on the rocks to our right
 
a panorama of this less sheltered cove
 
the houses to our left, a tall funky one, above and beyond the first, with their views of the sea
 
I take a peek over the edge. This always makes Wally crazy.
 
and good-bye to the wonderful rolling surf
 
Further down the road we come to the fishing village of Sambro.
Here is Fishermans Provider II .
 
It is Sunday and the working boats are tied up at dock. Fortune takes a rest.
 
with lovely names like Nicole & her sisters II
 
The massive gear for hauling in the fishing nets
 
You can get a hint of the rigorous life at sea by this hard-working boat
 
They seem so small compared to the massive company fishing ships and the life at sea
Maybe that's why this one is called " Seamans Toy I"
 
But they are picturesque on a calm sunny Sunday afternoon.
 
I hope you have all been well. Spring is coming though I hear there's a forecast of snow for tomorrow in Muskoka, Ontario, the land we left in August of 2012. We were surprised with purple and white crocuses on our front lawn yesterday. It's funny how they just seems to suddenly pop up. Hang in there; it will be your turn soon.
 
More soon.