Cataract Falls - The View from the Bottom

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

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

Snowy Owl

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

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

A Geometrical Perspective

Saltbox

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

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

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

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

Waiting

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

Great Horned Owl

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

Sunrise At The Edge of the Earth

St. Patrick - Bay Bull's Church Yard

Topsail Falls - Bridal Veil

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

Dwarf Columbine on a Wednesday Evening

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

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

Wait For Me !

Ice Bergs Near Pouch Cove

Southern Shore Salt Stage

Abandoned

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

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

For a close encounter with an iceberg click here.

At Rest in Brigus South

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

St. Peter and St.Paul Church, Bay Bulls

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

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

Pouch Cove Skiff

Detail of a Berg

Margaret's Iceberg

Iceberg Alley

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

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

Tulip Abstract

Another Cool Sculpture

"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

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

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

Return of the Butterfly

Black Duck

Autumn Aster

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

"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

Iceberg Ice

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