Miner - Bell Island Mural

Bell Island, an island in Conception Bay, was once a thriving mining community; today, the mines are now gone but you can visit giant murals that commemorate the islands proud mining heritage.

Twin Brooks

I come from haunts of coot and hern,
I make a sudden sally,
And sparkle out among the fern,
To bicker down a valley.

    By thirty hills I hurry down,
    Or slip between the ridges,
    By twenty thorps, a little town,
    And half a hundred bridges.

    Till last by (Lester's) farm I flow
    To join the brimming river,
    For men may come and men may go,
    But I go on for ever.

- Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Remembrance Day - Nov. 11, 2006

The grave of Private J. Hancock of the Newfoundland Regiment, in Y-Ravine Cemetery, Beaumont Hamel, France. Pte. Hancock was killed in action on the 1st day of the the Battle of the Somme July 1, 1916. He was 18 years old.

On July 1,1916, the Newfoundland Regiment advanced alone into a hail of machine gun fire and suffered a 90 percent casualty rate including every officer - one of the highest casualty rates in the entire British Army that day.

The Lake

" A lake is the landscape's most beautiful and expressive feature. It is earth's eye; looking into which the beholder measures the depth of his own nature. The fluviatile trees next the shore are the slender eyelashes which fringe it, and the wooded hills around are its overhanging brows".

from Walden - Henry David Thoreau

Fall Colors in Bowring Park

This beautiful park was established in 1911 with a donation of 200 acres to the city of St. John's by the Bowring merchant family. The park has many scenic walking trails along the Waterford River, a swimming pool, tennis courts, picnic areas, and a lawn bowling field. There are several bronze statues including Peter Pan (a replica of the statue in Kensington Gardens in London) and "The Fighting Newfoundlander", a monument commemorating Newfoundland's soldiers.

Ruffed Grouse in the Botanical Gardens

While walking through Memorial University's Botanical Gardens today, this grouse began drumming in the shadows of the forest floor.

At Torbay Beach

A photographic moment spans fractions of a second. As painters of light we distill our subject from all the world before us. Thus, we create our art.

Torbay Beach Painting

On Sunday afternoon I drove to Torbay but after several pictures I still remained uninspired. I then used a slow shutter speed and set the camera on enhanced mode for one last chance of capturing the seascape. The resulting image showed colors from an artist's canvas and I was pleasantly surprised.

Tangled Bollard

A bollard is a short wooden, iron or stone post used on a quayside for mooring ships. The term may be related to bole, meaning the lower trunk of a tree. Bollards are rarely totally cyclindrical, but typically have a larger diameter near the top to discourage mooring warps (docklines) from coming loose.
- exerpt from Wikipedia

This example, with its confusing mass of rope lines, is shaped like a set of horns - an oversized deck cleat.

The War at Our Doorstep

With the outbreak of World War II, St. John's Harbour became an important staging point for convoys and warships crossing the Atlantic to Great Britain. In December 1942, the Canadian government installed two artillery guns below the Fort Amherst Lighthouse at the entrance to the harbour. In 1943, German submarines mined the waters ouside the well protected harbour resulting in the loss of an American freighter and a British ore carrier .

Today, the battery is in ruins but it remains a reminder of how the war touched the residents of St. John's from 1939 to 1945.

A Kind of Blue - Yellow Day

Frayed blue braids embrace a yellow mooring rail.

Mural in Pouch Cove on a Friday Afternoon

The Slipway

Yesterday, "Tyler and Lucas" presented a photogenic scene on the the slipway in Pouch Cove.

On Middle Cove Beach

Silently, I walk amid the grey dark stones, the sound of wind-lashed waves carrying me to faraway places. I am free at last from the tumult of today.

Green Point

Jagged rocks are washed by the churning sea below the cliffs of Green Point.

Green Point Lighthouse

The Green Point lighthouse is located on a windswept point near the village of Hibb's Cove, Conception Bay. From the community, a rough gravel road leads 1 1/2 miles to the lighthouse. The light tower, built in 1883, is a round cast iron structure with red and white horizontal stripes. Today, its fixed white light remains an active aid to navigation.

In the autumn months, the treeless barrens surrounding this lonely outpost abound in cranberries ripe for picking - just in time for Thanksgiving Day !

Crab Pots for Sale

A crab pot is a round rope- knitted cage with a funnel opening and a well in the middle to hold scraps of bait fish. The crab find their way easily in, but they can't get out. The pots are thrown over the side of the boat and are tied to long ropes attached to floats. These colorful pots are still awaiting their new owner in Port de Grave.

The Lighthouse Keeper - Cape Race

"No circumstance whatever will excuse any lightkeeper for failing to exhibit the lights in his charge at the prescribed time, or for neglecting to keep them burning with the greatest possible brilliancy."

Rules and Instructions for Light Keepers, 1905

Cape Race Panorama

The rocky ledge runs far into the sea.
And on the outer point some miles away,
The Lighthouse lifts its massive masonry,
A piller of fire by night, of cloud by day.

Henry Longfellow - The Lighthouse

High and Dry

This landlocked boat symbolizes the dream of most expatriot Newfoundlanders - to return again to their beloved island and perhaps never to leave again.

Heart's Content Lighthouse

The Heart's Content Light was established in 1901 at the northern entrance of the community harbour. The 3o foot tower is a round cast iron structure painted in a red and white candy cane pattern. The lightkeeper's house and other station buildings have long ago been demolished. Nearby, in the community of Heart' Content,the first Trans-Atlantic cable was landed on July 27th, 1866. A museum, commemorating the role of the town in transatlantic communication brings many visitors in the town.

Making Fish

This archival photograph is symbolic of the early Newfoundland cod fishery. I made this image from a glass slide in my collection. These fishermen appear to be washing the excess salt from the cod in preparation for curing in the sun. The photo dates to the early 1900's.

After the Storm

My soul is full of longing
For the secret of the Sea,
And the heart of the great ocean
Sends a thrilling pulse through me.

-Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Kittiwake ( Tickleace )

Smaller than a herring gull with wings that appear to have been dipped in black paint, the kittiwake is perfectly at home on the sea, drinking salt water, sleeping on the waves and feeding on small fish. These graceful birds nest in colonies on cliff tops and rocks overlooking the ocean. They rarely frequent land except to nest and they are often seen perched on the tops of icebergs that drift south with the currents to Newfoundland's northeast coast.

 

Powell's Head Light Beacon

Powell's Head Lighthouse is located near the entrance to Trepassey Harbour. The original iron tower built in 1902 was replaced by this square wooden structure forming one corner of the fog alarm building. Although not as dramatic as older Newfoundland lighthouses, this small lighthouse all painted in white with a red roof and a red octagonal dome lantern does make a pretty picture. It's flashing white light shining from a dioptic lens can be seen for up to 12 nautical miles at sea.

Cape Race Light Station 1909

Cape Race Lighthouse Looking East

Cape Race Lighthouse - Lantern Lens

The Cape Race Lighthouse began operating in 1856 and is Canada's most significant landfall beacon. In 1912 radio operators here received the distress signal from the Titanic, which struck an iceberg 400 miles to the southeast. The original light tower was replaced by a white circular concrete tower in 1906. The giant hyper-radial lens, the largest ever built, contains hundreds of prisms that radiate light up to 24 nautical miles. The ocean beneath this beacon is wrought with treacherous currents and razer- sharp reefs and beset with fog, icebergs and storms.

Water Watchers

"How can there be such solitude in watching water ?"

- Margrethe Ahlschwede

Northern Cod

Codfish cakes for breakfast or lunch are an old Newfoundland tradition. They remain one of my favorite dishes.

Here is a recipe:

Codfish Cakes

2 cups salt cod
3 cups peeled, diced potatoes
1 egg, beaten
1/4 teaspoon pepper
Cream

Soak cod overnight. Drain. Pull apart into Flakes or shreds. Boil with potatoes until potatoes are tender. Drain and mash together potatoes and fish. Beat in egg, pepper and a little cream if necessary to make mixture light and fluffy.Pat into cakes and pan fry in hot greased pan, turning once to brown both sides.

Serves 6.

.

Lilies in My Garden

"Lilies have been cultivated for over 3000 years. Feng Shui believers hold the lily as an emblem of summer and abundance; to the Chinese, lily means "Forever in love". The lily was the holy flower of the ancient Assyrians. Until the 16th century the Madonna lily was the only garden variety known, because of this the "lilies of the field" as mentioned in the bible are thought to be this specific lily. A lily has adorned the coat of arms of the kings of France since 1179. King Chlodwig I allegedly received this 'fleur de lys', as it is called in heraldic language, from an angel. " In actual fact, that lily was not a lily but an iris !

Sea-wet Rocks

The mermaids on the sea-wet rocks sat and sang ther siren songs.

View of Placentia from Fort Royal on Castle Hill

The town of Placentia was once a French fortification and community known as Plaisance. As the French capital of Newfoundland, it was an important base for the French fishery in North America. On Castle Hill, the visitor is greeted by a magnificent view of the present day town and surrounding harbour and can explore the remains of both French and English fortifications from the 17th and 18th centuries.

Conception Bay Shore from Bell Island

When we look at the changing evening sky, we must realize that it is the work of someone more powerful than man.

Admiral's Point Lighthouse

"A square pyramidal wooden tower flashing white every 5 seconds, range 15 nautical miles."

Admirals Point, Trinity

Because of Trinity's excellent harbour and access to the fishing grounds, the early English settlers were subject to French raids. In order to protect their interests, England established a fort on the peninsula that jutted out into the harbour. In 1744, the garrison housed fourteen 24 pounder cannons that protected the inner harbour. The fort was menaced by the French in 1762 and surrendered to the French commander, Captain Chevalier de Boisgelin, who destroyed the fort and and disabled the cannons .

The fort was reestablished in 1812 as protection against American privateers but it was eventually abandoned. Today, only the lonely cannons still guard the approaches to Trinity manned by unseen soldiers.

Moose on Road to Trinity - Who's Watching Who ?

The Newfoundland Moose is often seen along the margins of ponds, lakes and rivers of the boreal forest and bogs. Moose can also be found feeding in fresh water.

Lonely House in Trinity

Trinity, Newfoundland, is a historic fishing village along the shores of Trinity Bay. Most of the buildings are heritage sites. This elegant house is said to be the oldest house in the community and has recently been rehabilitated by new owners.

"Trinity charms visitors on at least two accounts. Many newcomers are struck by the natural beauty of the area, a magnificent harbour and the splendid maritime setting. Others are touched by a powerful sense of history (Old Worldliness) and the pride of place instilled by the cultural landscape."

- The Story of Trinity -- Gordon Handcock

Lenny's Fishing Room

The Battery - A Slightly Different Perspective

The city of St Johns is is the oldest city in North America. While walking along the city waterfront, you will see historic buildings and wonderful whimsical communities such as The Battery. Colorful homes are perched on rockfaces and are literally inches from the road and ocean. Views of the city skyline and Narrows are unfogettable and without equal in this enchanting place.

Bird Rock - Cape St. Mary's

It is an interesting fact that young gannets must launch themselves from these high cliffs and fly immediately. In early fall thousands of anxious juveniles line up along the cliff tops and look down at the great drop before them.

Gannet Colony - Cape St. Mary's

Cape St. Mary has the second largest gannetry in North America, the other being on Bonaventure Island off Quebec. As you can see, it is a spectacular place where you can see thousands of these graceful birds hunting for caplin and other small fish . The top third of Bird Rock is covered with 500 nesting pairs of gannets. The lower cliff face is home to 12,000 pairs of common murres and kittywakes. As you can well imagine, the air is filled with a cacophony of sound. In the distance, you can see Bird Rock Light at the head of the cape.

Take me back to my Western boat.
Let me fish off Cape St, Mary's.
Where the hagdowns sail and the foghorns wail,
With my friends, the Browns and the Clearys.
Let me fish off Cape St. Mary's.

Moose on the Road to St. Bride's

Moose are not native to Newfoundland but were introduced in 1904. Four moose were brought to the island from New Brunswick and today their descendants number about 120,000 . Moose are the largest members of the deer family, standing 7 1/2 feet at the shoulder and bulls can carry 40 pounds of antlers. Their large size in combination with their tendency to wander onto roadways have made them a major hazard for highway drivers especially at dusk and dawn.

I spotted this young cow moose while driving home from a day's outing at Cape St. Mary's and was lucky enough to press the camera shutter just once before she disappeared into the forest.

Lighthouse - Cape St. Mary's

Cape St. Mary's has always been known for it's treacherous currents and fog enshrouded cliffs which presented danger to sea going vessels, fishing schooners and transatlantic liners alike. Therefore in 1858, a lighthouse was established on the tableland 300 feet above sea level on the extreme headland of the Cape. Upon completion,salt spray immediately began to erode the mortar in the brick structure, increasing maintenance costs. The entire structure was therefore encased in iron and backed with concrete. Today the lighthose presents a shadow of it's former self with a squat and awkward appearance topped by a new aluminum 400 watt mercury vapour lamp focusing light 30 miles out to sea.

Summer at Last !

Well, Summer vacation is here at last and I'm excited to be cruising the Scandanavian countries throughout July. I will not be able to post until I arrive back. So, my loyal readers, have a great summer and don't forget to come back and visit with me soon.

Beaumont Hamel 1916 - 2006

Newfoundland sent 8,500 soldiers and sailors abroad in the First World War; out of a population of less than 250,000, over 1,500 brave men gave their lives. On July 1st of each year - the anniversary of the Battle of Beaumont Hamel, these courageous Newfoundlanders are remembered for the great sacrifice they made and the loved ones they left behind.

After the war, Newfoundland established five memorials overseas to commemorate the bravery of her sons in First World War. They are: Beaumont Hamel, Gueudecourt, Monchy, Masnières, and Courtrai memorials. The Courtrai Memorial is located in Belgium while all others are located in France. These unique bronze caribou statues were the work of Basil Gotto, who also designed the statue of the "The Fighting Newfoundlander" in Bowring Park, St. John's.

July 1, 2006 marks the 90th Anniversary of the Battle of Beaumont Hamel.

Bell Island Light

This lonely lighthouse is situated on the eastern point of Bell Island . On a clear day, you can see all the way to Baccalieu Island and right across to the northern shore of Conception Bay. It is a very wild and beautiful place; the fields over-looking the cliffs are covered in purple irises in the springtime and harebells and daisies in the summer. Whales and dolphins play in the cool waters below during July and August.

Painted Sky - Bonne Bay

Over Bonne Bay, as the evening draws nigh
A golden glow of light seems to drop
From a freshly painted sky.