Cape Forchu, Nova ScotiaI took the grand tour along the south shore to Yarmouth and then back along the French shore to visit the magnificent churches along the way. Although I had seen Cape Forchu from the Yarmouth side of the inlet this was my first visit to Cape Forchu Light. Cape Forchu, Nova Scotia
Eglise Sacre-Coeur ChurchEglise Sacre-Coeur Church, French shore, Nova Scotia was the only church on my tour that I did not enter. It certainly looks like a church with another stunning interior so perhaps next time when I am out this way I will ask permission to take photos, no flash of course. Eglise Sacre-Coeur Church
Eglise-Saint Alphonse Church, Nova ScotiaI met the caretaker of Eglise-Saint Alphonse Church. He has serviced this church for most of his life. He told me that the "rock background" on the right front side of the church's interior is carved from wood and that one of the rocks is actually a rock. The thing is that even after 60 years of working here he has never found it. OK! This is the third church of my tour and although smaller than the previous two is nonetheless just as impressive. Eglise-Saint Alphonse Church
On the right side of this photo is the aforementioned wooden face with a hidden rock within.
Eglise Sainte-Marie ChurchEglise Sainte-Marie Church is my second church on my visit to the French shore of Nova Scotia, Canada. This church is unique in that it is the largest wooden church in North America. Eglise Sainte-Marie Church
Mushrooms, Lichens, Mosses and FungiA walk through a trail at Smiley's Provincial Park after a rain is a bonanza for lovers of mushrooms, lichens, mosses and fungi. Enjoy if you dare! A Walk Through Smiley's Provincial Park
Peggy's Cove Visit September 2018Laura and I visited Peggy's Cove in lat September. The images are typical of the place except for the stitched image of the Fisherman's Memorial. Fisherman's Memorial
L'Eglise de Saint-Bernard ChurchThis post is the first of three posts on the remarkable churches of the French shore of Nova Scotia. L'Eglise de Saint-Bernard Church is made primarily of stone, an example of early 20th century Gothic architecture. Museums and churches have one thing in common. Please not not use flash photography. Flashes in museums can damage the artifacts and flash photography in churches compromises the ambience that the builder intended not to mention annoying other visitors. Use a tripod or high speed lenses. Using flash photography with birds also destroys the naturalness of the image and scares the bird. L'Eglise de Saint-Bernard Church
Yellow-crowned Night Heron, the RevisitThe Yellow-crowned Night Heron made a revisit to the salt marsh on the Chebucto Peninsula. This heron is unusual because it has not been seen actively feeding although it appears healthy. Perhaps it tops up early in the morning and then relaxes to digest the offerings of the salt marsh. Yellow-crowned Night Heron
Grey CatbirdGrey Catbirds nested in our front yard rose bramble again this year. They celebrate before and after nesting with a single note mimic from each of 1000 different birds...., perhaps an exaggeration. They stay late and some try to overwinter. A good supply of suet hanging from brambles is the ticket to help them survive and some grape jelly. Grey Catbird
Monarch ButterflyThe Monarch Butterfly is always a delight to see and photograph. One year I hiked to Pennant Point, Crystal Crescent Beach Provincial Park, and saw hundreds on my return leg. I was hoping for a forest of monarchs clinging to trees at the point but they smartly followed the coastline south. Monarch Butterfly
Yellow-belled FlycatcherI don't keep bird records but our property in Portuguese Cove is highly productive especially with migrating species. I expect if I ever tally up our yard count it would be about 160+ species but even so another new bird appeared the other day, a Yellow-bellied Flycatcher. The bird was sitting atop our winter platform feeder which in three months will be crowded with Tree, White-throated and Song Sparrows and in most winters a rarity or two.
Yellow-crowned Night HeronThe coastline from Duncan's Cove to Crystal Crescent Beach Provincial Park offers superb birding year round. This includes well known hot spots such as Duncan's Reef, Ketch Harbour, Sandy Cove, Sambro Head Salt Marsh, Sambro Salt Marsh, Sambro Harbour, and the four beaches of Crystal Crescent Provincial Park. Last Friday I photographed a Yellow-crowned Night Heron, a regular in this area especially where the brackish water of salt marshes meets the ocean. These locations offer excellent feeds of crab and eel.
Bay-breasted WarblerI searched for the Bay-breasted Warbler in May and June in my usual places without luck. By late July most will have left the breeding territory but some will linger building strength and stamina. So I returned for one last look and low and behold the birds were there this time. Bay-breasted Warbler
Nuttall Brook FallsLaura and I are back on the waterfall circuit despite the lack of rain which is necessary for a good display. Our first stop was an easy one, Nuttall Brook Falls. I will have to return when the water is running higher. Nuttall Brook Falls
Nelson's SparrowThe Nelson's Sparrow is a common denizen of our coastal wetlands. It's elegant appearance belies its buzzy trill. Yet they are easy to find because of this song. Nelson's Sparrow
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