Orange-crowned WarblerAn Orange-crowned Warbler is no big deal in Florida's winter but it sure is here in Portuguese Cove, Nova Scotia. This demure little green-yellow warbler is a winter's treat for us. It showed its orange crown to Laura once during a gust of wind but I've yet to see it. I usually see this warbler in late November and early December on its southern migration. The Orange-crowned Warbler does not breed in Nova Scotia but further north in Labrador, a hardy bird indeed. Orange-crowned Warbler
Blue SupermoonThe evening of January 31, 2018 was the time I was looking up at the night sky for the blue supermoon, the largest full moon of the year and the second full moon in the month. It wasn't an eclipse in Nova Scotia but well worth the look anyways. I've never had any success in taking horizon photos just as the moon is rising due to atmospheric disturbances although the red colour is dramatic. Blue Supermoon of January 31, 2018
Water and IceWater, light and Ice are always fascinating photographic subjects, if a bit treacherous at times to access. Now during the early spring break up is your opportunity for the best shots. Water, Light and Ice
Coastal Nova ScotiaI enjoyed a winter's drive along the coast of Nova Scotia photographing architecture, fishing wharves and over-wintering birds. Common Loon
Black Guillemot
Common Loon changing into breeding plumage
MerlinMerlin's have always been a challenge for me to photograph. They will perch for long periods scanning for prey but are skittish. I have often seen them chasing shorebirds. Merlin Iceland GullI encountered this Iceland Gull while searching for another bird. It was at Fisherman's Cove in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Iceland Gull An Over-wintering Orange-crowned Warbler In Portuguese CoveLaura and I are enjoying the company of an over-wintering Orange-crowned Warbler. I don't feed it crickets, at least not yet, as it seems to do just fine on suet. Despite the proximity of the bird its still hard to photograph well due to the window glass and the shallow depth of field of telephoto lenses. Orange-crowned Warbler A Man and a Yellow-throated WarblerI visited Petite Riviere early in February to see and photograph an over-wintering Yellow-throated Warbler. This warbler is a tough bird but no match for Nova Scotia's winter, at least not without a lot of human help. It was near death when it first arrived here. I came with a crate full of 50 crickets thinking it was a big contribution. Well as it happens this warbler eats up to that many each day. I watched it as it lingered in a nearby spruce grove and sallied forth to get crickets from inside the wood shed through the slightly opened door, about one cricket every 15-30 minutes. It prefers live ones, who doesn't, but to prevent them from scurrying away they are cooled in the fridge before release. During the really cold nights the warbler actually sleeps inside the wood shed. The Yellow-throated Warbler is strong and healthy now and will survive the winter thanks to the help of a caring and dedicated bird lover. I witnessed a similar bird-human bond with a Carolina Wren several years ago and we have an over-wintering Orange-crowned Warbler at our place in Portuguese Cove this winter. Yellow-throated Warbler
Ocean View Log Home at Portuguese Cove, Nova Scotia, for SalePhone 902-430-6340
$389,900 [email protected] OK The sun rises every morning of the year over the Atlantic Ocean and pours light and warmth through your living room window to start your day. You can then enjoy the view over the Duncan's Cove Nature Reserve towards the ships entering and leaving Halifax Harbour. There is 2100 square feet of finished space to enjoy with five bedrooms, two bathrooms and a wood stove to augment your heating bills during the cold winter nights. There is a vaulted pine ceiling with pine floors and solid pine logs all around. All the recently installed windows are double glazed and double hung to allow for easy maintenance. Overhead your roof is protected with interlocking aluminum shingles with a 60 year warranty. Wildlife and birds are abundant, and the home has total privacy with an alarm system. Front Elevation
North-east Corner Facing the Winter Weather The walls are lined with 4" by 6" double tongue and groove pine logs on the inside, 2' by 6" studs with insulation and 2" by 6" pine boards on the exterior fitted with cedar shingles as a weather shield.
North Elevation The page wire fencing is to deter the many deer from eating your flower gardens.
Western Elevation The trellis is made from pressure treated spruce. The device on the top right of the trellis is your TV receiver and your cellphone repeater.
South-west Corner An extensive inventory of wooden lawn and deck furniture is included with the sale.
South Elevation
South-east Elevation
Garden Shed The garden shed has two levels with fold-down stairs.
Front Veranda
Entrance Vestibule
Living Area
Wood Stove The wood stove could be moved to the lower level or removed to turn this area into a formal dining room.
View Towards the Kitchen and Hallway from the Living Room
Vaulted Ceiling above Living Room
Kitchen on Left and Living Room on Right
Staircase to Lower Level
Vaulted Ceiling Above Kitchen Six major appliances are included with sale.
Hallway
Master Bedroom(bedroom one) All window coverings are included.
Bedroom Two Currently used as a computer room.
Bedroom Three Currently used as a dressing room. The curtain will be replaced with a pine folding door like the other closets in the house.
Upstairs Bathroom The new subway tile tub surround is awesome.
To the Downstairs Living Area
Entrance to Lower Level Bathroom
Library or Games Room
Bedroom Four Currently used as an entertainment room.
The beer fridge, microwave and cabinet are included with the sale.
Bedroom Five( the largest)
The Workshop
Laundry Area and Wine Storage Rack
Multi-flora Rose Over our Garden Pond
Multi-flora Roses
Cruise Ship Leaving the Harbour The harbour traffic can be photographed from the living room.
Marsh Marigold We created a bog garden.
Snow Scenes
Our Woodland Friends Ring-necked Pheasant on rear deck railing.
Rose-breasted Grosbeak Outside our kitchen window.
Northern Cardinal Outside our kitchen window.
Red Fox
............our Sunrise
Monarch Butterfly
Painted Lady Butterflies on Summersweet
Summertime photos here:
Test Series of Minolta 500mm F8 Reflex LensI took a series of photos using the Minolta 500mm F8 autofocus reflex lens and my Sony a99ii. The lens is a little soft and lacking saturation and contrast but these are easily corrected in Photoshop, if required. For the photographs I took bokeh is not an issue. This is the best hiking lens for full frame cameras made to date by anyone. Try carrying my Minolta 600mm F4 in your backpack? Minolta 500mm F8 autofocus reflex lens test photos, all hand held Blustery WeatherJanuary is well known for its blustery weather in Nova Scotia. Expect monstrous snowfalls, coastal tidal surges and wind, lots of wind. Blustery Weather
Sambro Island Light
Country HomesNova Scotia is renowned for its coastal home architecture. Some homes are simple and others are for the super rich. Nova Scotia Coastal Homes Tundra SwanA Tundra Swan is a very uncommon visitor to Nova Scotia in January. This one was in Hubbards. I wish it well on its journey south. Tundra Swan
Peggy's Cove and LightI drove the Eastern Chebucto Peninsula loop, Nova Scotia, to view Peggy's Cove and other coastal sites. The route changes through the seasons and particularly the weather. Peggy's Cove
Peggy's Cove Light
Bald EaglesBald Eagles are a common site in the Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia, in January and February since most of the chicken ranches throw out their dead. Getting good aerial photos is always the challenge especially trying to auto focus an 840mm lens and simultaneously keep the bird in view. Bald Eagles
Bald Eagle and River Otter The River Otter is too much for the eagle to handle but the River Otter had a large eel in its grasp and the eagle was looking for a way to steal and swallow it's tricky catch.
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