Scenes and Things

Cormorant Drying Wings

2012-01-26T19:41:00.001-08:00

I saw a little cormorant
Upon a rock, and grinned.
Her outstretched wings were soaking wet,
And drying in the wind.

I called to her, “You live
A very inefficient way.
Why, I reckon you’ll be standing
On that rock for half the day.”

The cormorant replied, saying,
“Stop a while and think.
I never need to take them off,
And wash them in the sink.

“I never have to spin them dry
Or hang them on the line,
So tell me which procedure
Is the simpler, yours or mine?”

- Stephen Whiteside

ptarmigan

2011-06-15T16:58:00.000-07:00

Carrion Crow

2010-04-02T13:17:00.000-07:00

A Crow, half-dead with thirst, came upon a Pitcher which had once been full of water; but when the Crow put its beak into the mouth of the Pitcher he found that only very little water was left in it, and that he could not reach far enough down to get at it. He tried, and he tried, but at last had to give up in despair. Then a thought came to him, he took a pebble and dropped it into the Pitcher. Then he took another pebble and dropped it into the Pitcher. At last, he saw the water begin to rise, and after casting in a few more pebbles he was able to quench his thirst and save his life.

"Little by little does the trick." - Aesop

Ferryland Light

2009-05-11T13:11:00.000-07:00

Red Saltbox #2

2009-04-19T11:35:00.001-07:00

Red Saltbox Near Tor's Cove

2009-04-18T14:58:00.000-07:00

Cabot Tower

2009-04-18T14:46:00.000-07:00

Cabot Tower was built in 1897 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of John Cabot's discovery of Newfoundland, and Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee. It is located on top of Signal Hill overlooking the city of St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. In 1901, Guglielmo Marconi received the first trans-Atlantic wireless message at a position near the tower, the letter "S" in Morse Code sent from Poldhu, Cornwall, United Kingdom.

Cabot Tower is now the centre of Signal Hill National Historic Park, Canada's second largest historic park, with walking trails, and an interpretation centre. Hikers that venture on the hill will be rewarded with spectacular views of the city, the harbour, and the ocean. - Wikapedia

Celtic Shadows

2008-10-19T11:33:00.001-07:00

The old Protestant Graveyard in St. Johns yields a pleasant mix of gothic beauty and tranquility.

"The boundaries which divide Life from Death are at best shadowy and vague. Who shall say where the one ends, and where the other begins?" Edgar Allan Poe

Banana Boat

2008-10-19T06:52:00.001-07:00

"As I stood on the wharf in Trinity harbour, the sun peeked out from behind the cloud cover and shone brilliantly on the yellow boat, the surrounding water sparkled with light".

Chestnut

2008-10-14T17:18:00.000-07:00

Number 4 Mine - Bell island

2008-10-14T17:16:00.001-07:00

Ore Car and Mural - Bell Island

2008-10-14T17:12:00.000-07:00

At the end of June 1966, they closed the mine on Bell Island. It was a hard blow to the 10,000 residents of this island in Conception Bay on Newfoundland's east coast.

"Bell Island must not be allowed to die, and we'll fight to see that it dosen't. If the federal government lets us sit here and rot, we'd be within our rights to tear down the Union jack and put up the skull and crossbones, or even the hammer and sickle." - The Bell island Reporter 1966.

Dancing With Light

2008-10-12T20:14:00.001-07:00

Ghost Trees On Bell Island

2008-10-12T20:10:00.000-07:00

Maelstrom at Doctor's Cove

2008-10-04T19:26:00.000-07:00

I was quite mesmerized by this swirling mass of water while perched on a wet sloping rock in the early morning hours at Doctor's Cove. A slow shutter speed and an unsteady tripod and photographer resulted in some softening of the rocky shore. Even so, this is what my eye could see albeit in greater detail.

Sunrise in Ferryland

2008-10-04T19:24:00.001-07:00

Eastern Chipmunk in Bowring Park

2008-09-23T19:35:00.000-07:00

Quidi Vidi Boat

2008-09-23T19:33:00.001-07:00

Drama at Doctor's Cove

2008-09-17T18:07:00.001-07:00

Lost Boulder

2008-09-13T19:34:00.001-07:00

Doctor's Cove Plume

2008-09-13T13:16:00.001-07:00

Holy Trinity Church - Trinity

2008-09-11T15:19:00.001-07:00

This little church in Trinity , Newfoundland was built in 1835, giving it the distinction of being the oldest wooden church in North America.

King's Cove Lighthouse

2008-09-10T16:50:00.001-07:00

Trinity Saltbox

2008-09-10T16:43:00.001-07:00

Daybreak at Fort Amherst

2008-09-06T19:00:00.000-07:00

Bollard and Rope

2008-09-06T18:59:00.000-07:00

Cataract Falls - The View from the Bottom

2008-09-02T15:58:00.000-07:00

The Colinet River drops into a deep gorge, forming a spectacular waterfall known locally as ‘The Cataracts’ and is listed by the provincial government's parks division as one of 6 "Natural and Scenic Attractions". A series of trails and steep steps lead from the bridge over the gorge, down the steep sides, to the base of the waterfall.

The Cataracts

2008-09-01T12:25:00.001-07:00

This picturesque falls never fails to show the casual visitor its beauty from many vantage points.

Snowy Owl

2008-09-01T10:42:00.001-07:00

The Snowy owl is an uncommon winter resident to Newfoundland but sometimes occurs in considerable numbers when lemmings ,their favourite food source becomes scarce in the northern tundra. This arctic owl begins to arrive in the province in September and some are reported to stay as late as April or May. It is very wary and perches upon a high point of land,rock,tree or building in order to survey its surroundings in all directions, thus detecting the approach of prey or enemies.

Newfoundland Red Fox

2008-08-31T09:38:00.001-07:00

Red foxes are excellent hunters, preying on birds, rabbits and other small mammals. Foxes, both red and the less common silver fox, are spotted frequently during treks into the Newfoundland back country.

Through the Looking Glass

2008-08-26T17:18:00.001-07:00

A Geometrical Perspective

2008-08-26T17:03:00.000-07:00

Saltbox

2008-08-25T20:03:00.000-07:00

Welcome - the door is always open - if you can reach it !

In Newfoundland, this door is called a mother-in-law door because that is the door that she was supposed to use if you didn't like her !

Bonavista Lighthouse at Sunrise

2008-08-25T20:01:00.001-07:00

Sunset Through a Fog Bank - Cape St. Mary's

2008-08-20T11:38:00.001-07:00

As the fog lifted I only had minutes to capture this image before it again closed in, Interestingly, the sun shining through this bank of cloud appears as a layered sun dog. The only foreground interest on this otherwise desolate barrens is the range fence.

Photographers On The Edge

2008-08-17T20:20:00.001-07:00

Two photographers from "away" are oblivious to the danger of a rogue wave as they are entranced by the angry sea at Cape Spear.

Break of Day

2008-08-17T12:27:00.001-07:00

Waiting

2008-08-14T20:19:00.001-07:00

We tie our little skiff along a fringe of wooded shore, protected by a steady - safe and sound.

Great Horned Owl

2008-08-12T15:00:00.001-07:00

The Great Horned Owl must turn it's head to look around because it cannot move it's large yellow eyes from side to side.

Cape Spear Light - Study

2008-07-26T08:15:00.001-07:00

Sunrise At The Edge of the Earth

2008-07-26T08:11:00.000-07:00

St. Patrick - Bay Bull's Church Yard

2008-07-09T09:12:00.001-07:00

Topsail Falls - Bridal Veil

2008-06-22T19:00:00.000-07:00

This beautiful falls near St.John's was photographed by Robert Edwards Holloway in the early 1920's. In those days the citizens of St.John's would picnic at the falls and the site was regarded as one of the seven wonders of Newfoundland.

To see his photograph on the 24 cent Newfoundland stamp issued in 1924, click here.

Topsail Falls

2008-06-21T18:31:00.000-07:00

Dwarf Columbine on a Wednesday Evening

2008-06-19T08:25:00.000-07:00

Columbines belong to the genus Aquilegia. The name is derived from the Latin aquila which means eagle, a possible reference to the hooked spurs of some species appearing like the claws of that bird. Columbines are members of the Buttercup Family.

For an intimate closeup of the dwarf columbine click here !

Witless Bay Zodiac Trip

2008-06-09T15:51:00.000-07:00

On Saturday evening I met four of my Flickr friends, all avid photographers, and spent the evening on a photo shoot. We left Witless Bay Harbor by zodiac and soon were surrounded by icebergs, puffins, murres , kittiwakes, gulls and even a pair of nesting bald eagles. Here we are on the wharf at the end of that wonderful trip. Left to right: Litehouseman, yours truly - Tomcod, Allison S. George, Sulfite and Photonick2007. Of course, these names are only our Flicker monikers. If you would like to see some images from the trip, look us up on Flicker.com.

Cool Gulls on a Berg

2008-06-08T10:45:00.000-07:00

Wait For Me !

2008-06-08T10:38:00.001-07:00

Ice Bergs Near Pouch Cove

2008-06-07T08:47:00.000-07:00

Southern Shore Salt Stage

2008-06-01T09:36:00.001-07:00

Abandoned

2008-05-31T20:33:00.001-07:00

I found this old abandoned house today while driving towards Renews on the Avalon peninsula. The old homestead has seen its time and will soon fall. The windows are shuttered with iron bars. While I was photographing, I felt as if I were being watched. Is there a face in the window?

Newfoundland Schooner Dory

2008-05-27T17:41:00.000-07:00

I found this old abandoned dory in Aquaforte among today's debris of old tires and rusting forty gallon drums. In spite of this, the setting still evoked echoes of another time. This unique flat bottomed work boat, with its planks for sides and swept up bow and stern could be stacked with its sisters up to eight boats high on the decks of large schooners, thus reducing storage space.

Dories were very seaworthy and became more stable when loaded with a large catch of fish.

Spring Parade on the East Coast Trail

2008-05-27T17:27:00.001-07:00

For a close encounter with an iceberg click here.

At Rest in Brigus South

2008-05-26T16:35:00.001-07:00

A peaceful scene in Brigus South invites the visitor to this ancient fishing settlement located in a small cove between Tors Cove and Cape Broyle on the Southern Shore. Because of the northern cod moratorium in 1992, fishermen in this community rely on other types of sea creatures to make a living, mostly crab and scallops.

Little House on the Bay

2008-05-26T06:52:00.000-07:00

St. Peter and St.Paul Church, Bay Bulls

2008-05-25T18:22:00.000-07:00

The Roman Catholic church of St. Peter and St. Paul in Bay Bulls was built in 1890.
At the gates of the church, serving as pedestals for statues, stand several of the cannons used in the engagements with the French in the 1700's.

After the Split

2008-05-18T08:54:00.001-07:00

A loud thunderous report was followed by a crash of ice as the top of this berg tumbled into the sea .

Pouch Cove Skiff

2008-05-17T19:10:00.001-07:00

Detail of a Berg

2008-05-17T17:05:00.000-07:00

Margaret's Iceberg

2008-05-17T16:37:00.000-07:00

Iceberg Alley

2008-05-17T15:42:00.000-07:00

Today, the sun finally warmed the land and I soon forgot the last two weeks of cold miserable fog encrusted weather. The steady parade of icebergs along the coast meant that every cove and inlet would have their very own icy attractions and I set out to capture some of their beauty. This berg was photographed near the village of Flat Rock on the "Killick Coast".

What Lies Below

2008-05-12T15:54:00.001-07:00

The translucent green of this iceberg provokes questions. I prefer to dwell on the intrinsic optical properties of ice rather than impurities.

Judge Trahey's Place

2008-05-10T17:37:00.001-07:00

Tulip Abstract

2008-05-05T15:26:00.001-07:00

Another Cool Sculpture

2008-05-03T16:24:00.001-07:00

"Icebergs are an enormous tourist attraction, and Newfoundland and Labrador is the best place in the world to view them. Visitors can get safely near them on a guided sea kayak tour, a scheduled boat tour, or by simply standing on the shoreline. And, with the April arrival of our millions of seabirds and the late-June arrival of the world’s largest population of humpback whales, the coastline of Newfoundland and Labrador will be alive with nature on a very grand scale during the 2008 season! Cameras are a must!" - Easier Travel

Quidi Vidi Iceberg

2008-05-03T15:26:00.000-07:00

Satellite images show five hundred or so icebergs in iceberg alley ready to pass near our headlands and bays. These are the first to reach the Avalon peninsula. This year will be a "large" year for bergs.

Great Big Sea

2008-04-28T17:26:00.001-07:00

The Newfoundland coastline near Portugal Cove South offers a strong visual connection between sea and rock.

Return of the Butterfly

2008-04-24T18:22:00.000-07:00

Black Duck

2008-04-12T16:59:00.001-07:00

Autumn Aster

2008-04-07T08:05:00.000-07:00

This autumn aster was the last remaining flower in my garden before winter rushed in covering all in its frigid white blanket. Old man Winter still refuses to let go but I still have the memories of summer flowers and the promise of Spring brightens my thoughts.

SS Kyle - Harbour Grace

2008-03-20T16:54:00.001-07:00

"Tall are the tales that fishermen tell when summer's work is done,
Of fish they've caught, of birds they've shot, of crazy risks they've run.
But never did a fisherman tell a tale, so tall by a half a mile,
As Grampa Walcott told one night in the Smokeroom of the Kyle."

- Ted Russell

To learn more about the SS Kyle Click here.

A Time Gone By - Cape Spear Lighthouse

2008-03-09T18:37:00.000-07:00

Iceberg Ice

2008-03-02T15:28:00.001-08:00

Iceberg ice is now "harvested in Newfoundland for bottled water and vodka. These products are readily available in retail stores.

Deer Lake Transportation Circa 1920's

2008-02-24T15:21:00.001-08:00

Here is a vintage 1920's photo showing the Deer Lake Powerhouse and some local boys with their goat-drawn wagon.

On the Rocks

2008-02-23T10:49:00.001-08:00

A combination of high wind and unseasonable rains in the high country have cleared the snow revealing lichen encrusted glacial erratics.

Lunar Eclipse

2008-02-20T19:47:00.001-08:00

Tonight I tried my hand at photographing a lunar eclipse and failed miserably. This image with the earth's shadow beginning to penetrate the bright moon was the only photo that showed any detail. I'll try again in 2010 !

Valentine Tulip

2008-02-17T19:25:00.001-08:00

The freezing cold temperatures kept me near home today so I decided to capture some valentine tulips before they fade away.

Tower Sunset

2008-02-16T15:26:00.001-08:00

If it looks good - Shoot It ! Today I went ski-dooing with my neighbour, Dave and his brothers. It was a generally dull day and the country looked a bit be-draggled after a recent thaw. Rains had cut down the snow and I was not inspired to photograph the landscape. Just as we were getting back to the truck, nature suddenly staged a grand sunset and I shot these unplanned images.

Fishing Stage and Boat - Tilting

2008-02-14T12:56:00.001-08:00

Fishing boat images in Newfoundland have become cliche. Every Tom, Dick and Harry with a camera takes pictures of boats. I, too, am afflicted with this malady and cannot resist photographing a boat moored peacefully near a fishing stage on calm reflective water. The Newfoundland fishing boat is as much a cultural icon as the grain elevator of Saskatchewan.

On the Waterfront - Twillingate

2008-02-14T12:32:00.001-08:00

There is something about ancient abandoned buildings that stir feelings of longing or nostalgia within me. I have no connection to these sunlit facades, yet, they speak to me of long ago events, of human tragedy and yes, happy times also.

The Barbour House

2008-02-14T11:37:00.001-08:00

This historical heritage home is found in Newtown, Bonavista Bay and was originally built for Captain Benjamin Barbour and his family of nine sons and two daughters in 1875.

Although Benjamin Barbour himself was not involved in the sealing industry, the rest of his family were involved. Fourteen of the descendants of Benjamin Barbour became captains and ten of those were sealing captains. The Barbours were considered one of the most prominent sealing families in Bonavista Bay.

The Barbour Home is typical of the larger merchant houses built in many Newfoundland communities in the latter part of the nineteenth century. The interior also has 32 rooms including 12 bedrooms, two dining rooms, one upstairs parlour and two kitchens.

The house was owned for a number of years by Benjamin Barbour's grandson, the late Captain Carl Barbour, who used it primarily as a summer home.

The Heritage Trust currently uses the house as a museum, preserving many of the artifacts and furniture for visitors to see, although the Barbour family still have access to the home for their own use.

Sleepy Cove Mine

2008-02-14T10:53:00.001-08:00

Little is known about the Sleepy Cove copper mine but today's visitor can still find remnants of the abandoned mining equipment scattered about green meadows near the village of Crow Head on Twillingate Island. The mine was staked in the early 1900's. Of the three ships that arrived to remove the ore, one carried 560 tons to an unknown destination, the second abandoned loading when high winds drove it on the rocks and the third took ore to New York where it remained unclaimed. The mine closed in 1917, having been a bust !

Another Time

2008-02-11T18:45:00.001-08:00

This old merchant's premises in Morton's Harbour echoes with the ghosts of another era. Looking through the shattered windows I could see oil lanterns, flat irons, fish tubs and myriad other sundry items, including the remains of a horse drawn sleigh tucked away in a far corner.

High and Dry

2008-02-11T17:44:00.000-08:00

"In the late spring 'trapmen' would be busy in their 'store lofts' mending the nets....it was an area where cod traps, trawls and other fishing equipment were stored in winter, and where dry fish was stored during the curing process in late summer and early fall. The loft usually cantained a small stove for warmth."

Waiting for Spring

2008-02-11T17:19:00.000-08:00

Trinity Two Summers Ago

2008-02-09T13:04:00.000-08:00

Trinity provided filming locations for the 2001 movie, "The Shipping News" and the 2002 TV movie, "Random Passage".

Back Yards of Trinity

2008-02-09T12:35:00.001-08:00

A backyard in Historic Trinity, Bonavista Bay, invites the passerby to stay for a while.

Trinity ".....the best and largest harbour in all the Land." Whitbourne, 1620

Billy Parsons - Miner

2008-02-09T11:58:00.000-08:00

World -famous photographer, Yousuf Karsh came to Newfoundland in 1949, shortly after confederation and revisited the island in 1954. One of the photos that Karsh took in 1954 was of Billy Parsons who worked in the iron ore mines of Bell Island for fifty years. The photograph of Billy was the inspiration for the giant mural painted on the brick wall of a building in Wabana, the main community on the island.

Winter Scene in Bowring Park

2008-02-03T11:28:00.000-08:00

When the blizzard ended, a mantle of powdery drifts cloaked the earth with a beautiful solitude.

Chapel Hill Road - Deer Lake c1926

2008-02-03T10:23:00.001-08:00

My hometown of Deer Lake received its name from the lake you can see in the background of this vintage photo. The first European settlers who came here, not having seen caribou before, called them "deer". Caribou could be seen crossing the lake from north to south in great numbers on their annual migration south; hence the name Deer Lake. As Mrs. Adella Boyle recalls, "When I came here in 1925, there were huge herds of caribou and deer. You could watch them cross the lake. As the first of the herd would reach the opposite bank, the last of the herd was just entering the water."

On the right side of Chapel Hill Road looking towards the lake, log cabins were built for the employees of the power plant operated by the Newfoundland Pulp and Paper Company. You can just see the front of the closest cabin - "Wilton's Cabin". In the 1960's these cabins were stll standing but you could not tell them from regular houses because they were clapboarded over.

Winter Bouquet

2008-02-02T17:12:00.001-08:00

Today we had "weather" - rain, wind, sleet, ice pellets and just plain misery! All in all, a good day to photograph a bouquet of flowers, a reminder of the bright days to come.

Coming Home

2008-01-31T10:48:00.001-08:00

Newfoundland winters offer an abundance of snow, breathtaking scenery complete with mountain ranges and endless open country. Snowmobiling here is the ultimate adventure.

Painted Sky Over Paddy's Pond

2008-01-27T18:53:00.000-08:00

The winter sun sets early over Paddy's pond in late January and the clear brisk evening sky is infused with fleeting shades of pink and yellow. Then, as night quickly falls, to the north, beneath the handle of the Little Dipper shine the Pleiades - diamonds in the night sky.

Casper - The Friendly Ghost Dog

2008-01-26T14:06:00.001-08:00

Casper, my neighbour's Siberian Husky, appears content to stay outside despite today's sub zero temperatures at -13 Celsius.

Winter at Paddy's Pond

2008-01-26T13:53:00.000-08:00

A cold frigid evening on Paddy's Pond is warmed by the grandeur of a winter sunset.

Hairy Woodpecker

2008-01-26T08:10:00.001-08:00

The Hairy Woodpecker is a common resident of Newfoundland found throughout the province and is shyer than its small relative, the Downy woodpecker, but more active and noisier. The Hairy woodpecker prefers heavier woods with a few deciduous trees but during winter this expert climber wanders around in search of food, coming to feeders in communities.

Caribou Silhouette

2008-01-11T17:21:00.001-08:00

Separated from the herd, this lone stag desperately searches for his kin on the barren grounds near Peter's River.

Winter at the Battery - Signal Hill

2008-01-11T16:53:00.001-08:00

Signal Hill was the site of concentrated harbour defenses from the 18th century through World War II. The French had captured St. John's in the summer of 1762 but British troops dispatched from Halifax quickly won back the town in the last battle of the Seven Years War. The hill's military advantage, now obvious, resulted in the construction of several fortifications during the Napoleonic Wars, and their ruins can still be seen today.

St. Luke's Anglican Church - A Different Perspective

2008-01-11T16:44:00.000-08:00

St. Luke's Anglican Church in Newtown, Bonavista Bay, was built in 1895.

Ocean Fury

2008-01-02T06:23:00.000-08:00

The wind was young and the sea was old,
But their cries went up together;
The wind was warm and the sea was cold,
For age makes wintry weather.

The Wind and the Sea - Paul Lawrence Dunbar