What's It All About, eh?

Cape Breton evokes deep memories and strong emotions for me as well as a deep appreciation for the beauty of my adopted island. My hopes are that you too might find the photos evocative - maybe a view you've not enjoyed before, or an 'Oh I've been there', or if from away that you may be encouraged to visit this fair isle so that you might come to love and breathe Cape Breton as I do. One word about place names that I use - some are completely local usage while others are from maps of Cape Breton that I've purchased over the years. I frequently post travel and other photos that are of interest to me - and hopefully you.

On the right hand side bar find my take on Single Malt whiskey - from how to best enjoy this noble drink to reviews (in a most non-professional manner) of ones that I have tried and liked - or not. Also musings, mine and others, on life in general.

Photographs are roughly 98%+ my own and copy-righted. For the occasional photo that is borrowed, credit is given where possible - recently I have started posting unusual net photographs that seem unique. Feel free to borrow any of my photos for non-commercial use, otherwise contact me. Starting late in 2013 I have tried to be consistent in identifying my photographs using ©smck on all out of camera photos I personally captured - (I often do minor computer changes such as 'crop' or 'shadow' etc but usually nothing major), and using
©norvellhimself on all photos that I have played around with in case it might not be obvious. Lately I have dropped the ©smck and have watermarked them with the blog name.

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The Dinosaur Bug (Arilus cristatus)

© 03 Oct '12     photo by smck

© 03 Oct '12     photo by smck
More commonly known as the Wheel Bug from the shape of the notched pronotal armor. It is one of the largest of the terrestrial (as opposed to water) 'True Bugs' being upward of an inch and a half (3.8 cm) long.  They are common in North America, although most people never see one as they are very retiring or secretive in nature.  They can be thought of as a beneficial bug because they eat other bugs such as Japanese Beetles, etc by piercing them with its beak and sucking out the juice.  Which means they can pierce or bite humans which luckily doesn't occur very often for it is reported to be a very painful but non-threatening bite.  When disturbed it can also emit a noxious smell - but not as badly as the Stink Bug.

This old guy(they only live one year)was crawling up the outside porch wall.


True Bugs are a sub-set of insects and their sub-set features are interesting to read about.  So look it up and know the difference between a bug and a beetle.

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