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!

Copperhead - IV




Copperhead Snake - III


Since I was afraid to do my usual snake removal - sometimes a quick grab close behind the head, sometimes letting them dangle from a shovel handle, and sometimes a forked stick and pin them to the ground just behind the head (I started this when on one of my 'quick grab behind the head' attempts left just enough distance from the head that the black snake I was removing was able to snap it's head around and drive it's fangs clear through the fleshy part of my hand between my thumb and fore-finger).  It took several minutes to figure out just how to get this more serious guy moved  - killing him was an option but why kill it - then my metal trash can that I use for dog food storage came to mind,  I emptied it, then had to start herding the copperhead to an open area away from my appealing wood-rick toward which he was now heading,  The long handle of one of my yard tools did the trick and though I was fairly nervous (short for scared a lot) I eventually tossed him into the metal pail.


Copperhead - II






This all started when I was standing on the porch and happened to look down on the ground and see this bulky snake lying fairly motionless next to the walk - the bulkiness, the coloration, and the body pattern make me think instantly of the copperhead - a pretty venomous snake, not in the range of the rattlesnake but certainly not one to be bitten by for though deaths are rare, they do happen and victims often suffer amputations etc - taking these photos and using the internet I was even more sure that this was not a snake to be picked up and carried deep into the woods.  Meanwhile my wife was posting pictures and getting verification from her sister's husband that indeed this was a copperhead.

Last Photograph First - Copperhead Snake Adventure



I just let the captured Copperhead go - into an area that they are known to inhabit so that I am not ruining a neighborhood with my humane act.

http://10faq.com/animals/top-10-copperhead-snake-facts/10/

Poke Boating


A Nice Close Up Of The Two Men and The Shad


so far the countries looking at your photographs are: United States, Canada, Germany, Peru, Malaysia, Philippine, Japan, France, Indonesia, Russia, and the United Kingdom. 

"I Caught A Shad"


The Gentleman in the white tee shirt was checking his line after reeling in a fish, and turning to his left said in a raised voice - "I caught a nice Shad' [or reasonably close to that].  The young man, Quran, with the CMS Elite All Stars tee-shirt came walking over to see the Shad while I asked if I could take a photograph.  They both said take one of us together, so I did.  After they so nicely agreed,  I also asked if I could put it on my blog so that people in countries around the world could see.  Quran and I chatted for a while about my blog etc,  the end result being that I gave him my blog name (I garbled the name a bit, but with that deftness of the young he quickly found it on his phone).  So, if you are reading this Quran, check back tomorrow and I'll update the post with a listing of the countries that shared this.  Thanks


Clouds - II



Clouds (both Cumulonimbus and stratocumulus) At The Town Park


Enjoying The Day


One Of My Truly Lucky Photographs - (I posted similar but different photograph of this some years back)


Rill


Wow, What Legs!


I Love This Display of Beauty


Rhododendron Are Blooming



No Photograph - But Just An Update On The Old Fellow



Haven't rode the bicycle in a long while, and so feeling good after the Carotid Artery cleansing, and some physical therapy on the ripped bicep, I hopped onto the velocipede and did a ten miler into town and back - knew I hadn't rode for a while, with my wrists and hands being quite tired from gripping the handle-bars but no other side effects or gasping for breath - so maybe I'll get up to forty or so soon. 


Added Another Story


I pulled on my head veil and long gloves, removed the top cover and the inner cover, then put the top supper on and zipped the two covers back into place - no smoke, just a quick in and out - and the bees just kept on doing their work.

Lagavulin Scotch Whisky - 16 Year Old


another whisky tasting at a more local store  - this is my second 'tasting' and have to say I was somewhat disappointed in that there were no other participants at the time than me and that the amount to taste was so parsimonious, not terrible but certainly not enough to make a decision to spend $70 plus tax - and although I already knew that Lagavulin is perhaps my bench-mark for comparing whiskies this wee wee dram was good but not enough in most cases to convince me to buy - but buy I did at $10 off the regular price (although  technically for my spending limits it was still a bit steep).   I now have it setting on my shelf unopened but there it is in all its mouth watering promise of a buck well spent (on a spring maid sheet as the old advertisement used to say, eh?).