Caribbean Princess, Zaandam and Harbour TrafficI visited the coastal barrens in hopes of finding my first Green Adder's Mouth Orchid but still no luck. It's time to try a new location. I usually combine this trip with photographs of harbour traffic and that was successful. Caribbean Princess ......rounding Shoal Point and the Chebucto Head Light.
Tropic Hope
YM Enlightenment
Zaandam
Monarch, Painted Lady and Fritillary ButterfliesIt was a good day for butterflies in my area of Nova Scotia. August, September and October always seem to be the most productive months. Monarch Butterfly
Painted Lady Butterfly
Silver-bordered Fritillary Butterfly
Painted Lady Butterfly
Silver-bordered Fritillary Butterfly
Fringed White OrchidWhat a difference a week makes. When we first visited the sphagnum bog we could only find three partially opened Fringed White Orchids. A week later there are dozens many fully open. Once again timing is everything. Fringed White Orchid
Grass Pink Orchid .......also on display in the bog.
Canada LilyI photographed this gorgeous native lily yesterday and a few photos a week prior. Lilium canadenseFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to navigationJump to search
Lilium canadense, commonly called either the Canada lily,[3][4] wild yellow-lily, or the meadow lily, is a native of eastern North America.[5] Its native range extends from Ontario to Nova Scotia south to Georgia and Alabama. It is most common in New England, the Appalachian Mountains, and the Canadian Maritimes.[6] It is also cultivated as an ornamental in Europe and other places.[7] Flowers emerge in June. They are nodding (hanging downward), yellow, orange or red, often with darker spots. The plant has become less common in urban and suburban areas due to heavy browsing by the white-tailed deer. • Habitat: moist meadows, wood margins • Height: 0.5-1.5 metres • Flower size: 50–75 mm wide • Flower color: yellow, orange, or red • Flowering time: June to July • Origin: native The flower buds and roots traditionally gathered and eaten by North American indigenous peoples.[8] Conservation status in the United States[edit]It is listed Rare in Indiana, as Exploitably Vulnerable in New York (state), and as Threatened in Rhode Island and Tennessee. [9]
The Canada Lily blooms at the end of July here in Nova Scotia, the same time as the White Bog Orchid. I hope I can remember that for next year to minimize wildflower excursions. Canada Lily
The QueensThe Queens visited Halifax last Friday. The Queen Mary 2 and Queen Elizabeth arrived together coming in line. The Queen Mary 2 came from the north-east and the Queen Elizabeth came from the south-west, having passed through the Panama Canal from Los Angles. They met outside the harbour and I snapped photos of them together. It was early in the morning so the sun was against me which has advantages and disadvantages(mostly). Unfortunately I was unable to return for their departure with favourable sun. Ships are closer to shore when leaving the harbour thanks to the pass on the right rule of navigation. The Queens Arriving off Chebucto Head
Queen Mary 2 This is a photo stitch of four photos, a panoramic composite, originally almost 150MP in size.
Queen Elizabeth The Queens are easy to tell apart since the Queen Mary 2 is an ocean liner it has much higher freeboard(distance from water to top of hull), about one half of the overall height, whereas the Queen Elizabeth's freeboard is about one third of her overall height. The Queen Elizabeth is fast for a cruise ship at 24 knots but no match for the Queen Mary 2 which can move at 30 knots.
Queen Mary 2
Fringed White Orchid(White Bog Orchid)I look for this elegant orchid in sphagnum bogs. I finally found a pair and despite soaking my hiking shoes and socks and nearly falling into a roadside ditch I succeeded in obtaining a few photos. The orchid is just beginning to open so I will return in a week and this time I will wear rubber boots and use my hiking staff. I might even put a plank across the ditch. Fringed White Orchid
Hummingbird Clearwing MothThe Hummingbird Clearwing Moth is a favourite of mine. It's a daylight flying moth and since it likes Knapweed it is often easy to photograph. The camera freezes the wing movement but when flying the wings are translucent and almost disappear. Hummingbird Clearwing Moth
Grass Pink Orchid in Morning Dew and LightI visit the coastal barrens this time of year to photograph shipping, including cruise ships, but I also enjoy the flowers and especially the orchids of the coastal barrens. My hope is to find the first Green Adder's Mouth Orchid of this year but so far no luck. I did enjoy photographing the Grass Pink Orchid in the early morning light with rain/dew drops. Grass Pink Orchid
Peggy's Cove Light at SunsetI visited Peggy's Cove Light yesterday in the hopes of enjoying a good sunset. It was a gorgeous warm summer evening. Peggy's Cove Light
Aspotogan PeninsulaWe took a Sunday tour of the Aspotogan Peninsula, Nova Scotia. This route is scenic with numerous small fishing ports, a Provincial Park and a cemetery. Aspotogan Peninsla
This home is specially designed for folks that worry about rising sea levels.
Great Blue HeronEvery once in a while the stars align for a photographer. This happened with this Great Blue Heron. The target and hope of all wildlife photographers is to get the eye lit and in focus. The rest of the image can take care of itself. Also, telephoto lenses have very little depth of field so getting the target species in overall focus or near focus requires the animal to be flat on to the camera lens. This Great Blue Heron was posing, as shown, in a pond full of white water lilies and three frames had the eyeball lit by the sun. Great Blue Heron
This Great Blue Heron was on a kelp heap when we drove by.
Salt Marsh BirdsThe coastal salt marshes of Nova Scotia are active and full of specialty birds like the Nelson's Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow and Great Blue Heron. Nelson's Sparrow I was not close to the Nelson's Sparrow but this photo does attest to the virtue of high resolution cameras that permit severe cropping.
Great Blue Heron
Nelson's Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow The Savannah Sparrow is also common on the coastal barrens.
White Admiral ButterflyThe White Admiral Butterfly is common and widespread in Nova Scotia. Like all butterflies they don't like to pose. White Admiral Butterfly
AIDAVitaAIDAvita is a medium sized cruise ship, nicely proportioned and designed. This one was photographed off Shoal Point at the entrance to Halifax Harbour. I would have hired a different painter.
Adventure of the SeasThe Adventure of the Seas is a large cruise ship with odd features; waterslide and minature golf on the top deck! Who needs this? I photographed her departure at Shoal Point the lighthouse at the entrance to Halifax Harbour. Late day photos are always the best with the sun at my back.
Adventure of the Seas
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