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.

COMMENTS are appreciated as feedback is the driving energy of blogging - And if you like this site please pass it along to a friend. Thanks!

NOTE: TO ENLARGE PHOTO, CLICK ON SAME - If using Firefox also click f11 - photos will fill the screen ...... ----------------------------------- ......TRANSLATION BUTTON AT TOP OF LEFT COLUMN!

Posting Excuses



I have been having trouble with my computer - which is fairly new - but it turned out to be a defective charging cord - so $70 and some number of days later (had to wait on part being shipped) I am somewhat back in the harness.  Still have to contend with being in a very rural area (which I love otherwise) and have to drive either to a friends or to a tourist information site in order to connect to the internet - AND my camera has some blemish on the lens (which you can notice if you look closely at my posted photos) and I am still dithering over either a new camera or some serious money to have the lens seen to.  The new camera might be just the thing but like every thing else in this world money seems to be the key.  At any rate I'll try to get a photo posted every day and maybe actually write (but that can easily be boring I know) a paragraph or two.

And thanks for still looking in from time to time, Himself!

Yondering!

22 August 2013

Another Point of View

August 2013     photo © smck

Welcome France



Good evening good visitor from France - hope your visit brings you back again, Norvell

Solitary Piper

August 2013
The post heading, Solitary Piper, pretty well gives the bird's name and describes the scene of the Bras d'or Lake here at the tourist centre in St. Peters - the bird himself is not that well delineated in this photograph but look at the clearness of the lake water in which he wades - it is exquisitely clear and soothing to the eye - I love Cape Breton's shores and hills

Bye!!

19 August 2013

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There Goes The Sun

16 August 2013
As I stepped out the back door to get some photos of sundown - the spruce trees at the east were firing up from the fireworks of sundown (next posting - tomorrow if I get no flat tires - have had three so far)

Carol Meets Loon

16 August 2013     ©smck
To the right of the kayak, along the marsh grass is a dark object that was a Loon which swam directly toward her kayak, then submerged and darted away under-water at the last minute. 

Marshland Flowers



16 August 2013

Still Water

14 August 2013
Calum and I headed out from DanNeils Bridge on an overcast afternoon yesterday - water level was decent but would have been nicer if it were about 6 inches higher - here I pulled into a still-back water, peeled the two zip-lock sandwich bags off my camera and got a nice down stream shot with Calum in the distance.  (I already have quite a few smears on an inner lens of my camera which I laboriously delete using "retouch" on Picasa and was hoping that I could keep the camera nice and dry while I took a few photos for memories sake).  Shortly after this set of photos the rain set in with a nice chill to the kayaking venture.

Day Lake Canoe Paddle




12 August 2013
We canoed about two miles, from our take-off from the distant shore in the first photo, against the wind and bracing waves to the calm cove at the far right side of the lake.  Here we beached the canoe and stretched our legs, then checked the outlet that we were told led to some lovely interior lake-lets (photo 2).  Here the remains of a long ago crib-work are shown in photo 3, while photo 4 shows the rocky race that we had to walk the canoe through for about a quarter-mile. 

Home Is Where The Heart Is


05 August 2013
Just drive up the lane and come into the kitchen for a good mug-up of tea!! 

and sure enough Sue, Stewart and the kids - Shannon and Ben were in this very evening/

- Walks Into A Bar



Two atoms walk into a bar.  As they go to set down the first one says "Dang, I lost my electron!"

"Are you sure?" says the second atom.

"I'm positive!" replies the first atom.




Ruffed Grouse

02 August 2013
This guy was in the middle of the road as I came round the bend and I shifted to the left to avoid him but he ran directly toward me - luckily I was going slow enough to brake quickly on the gravel road.  He then reversed direction and flew into the underbrush on the right.  I grabbed the camera and snapped his profile.    I'll do the Latin name and etc later when I have access to my birding book.

Lift Thine Eyes Unto The Hills

30 July 2013

Chess



At a world famous hotel in Europe there was an international gathering of chess players of great renown for a two week tournament.  At the end of the tournament a grand dinner was held and all the players attended. After the formalities had been observed the dinner attendees got into great discussions of the games, the moves, the blunders, etc and after dinner as they continued their often heated discussions they gradually moved into the foyer of the great hotel where their intense comments and bickerings continued often loudly and with occasional scatological adjectives being bantered about as they commented on the players abilities. Several guests had complained to the manager about the lack of decorum being exhibited as they had came through the foyer.  The manager quickly moved into the group of aficionados gathered there and prompted them to disperse immediately.

When asked why they had to leave the manager quickly replied, "The hotel rules prohibited chess nuts roasting in an open foyer".