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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Not A Wild Turkey




riding by on my bike I glanced up the small woodland trail and wondered if the large bird coming out of the wood might be a wild turkey - Ha Ha - just a wandering duck

- And My Purchase of Choice For The Evening



Leaving State LIne Liquors - About A Little After 9 P.M. With The Sky Still Giving A Glow of The Departing Day


State Line Liquor's Single Malt Scotch Whisky Tasting of 26Jun'19 - Special


Ed gave us all a special treat at the end of the scheduled tastings - a special malt bottled in 1991 from his own collection that he shared round the room - not for sale but just for the graciousness of it all

note the tasting glass with about one half once of the Brackla - the amount for each bottle being reviewed

Hover


The Old Sexton House's Lovely Holy Tree


The Upgrade and Repair of an Old Wooden Canoe


State Line Liquor's Single Malt Scotch Whisky Tasting of 26Jun'19


Presentation of the evening's 8 tastings - Ed Cole

Ed was soft spoken, with in depth data on many aspects of Single Malts and Vatted variations.  Depending on your own knowledge of Scotch, which can vary from none at all to a fairly deep learning of the craft and taste, you will still be impressed by any good presenter who usually have traveled through out the various whisky areas of Scotland and Ed was no exception.  I have been to several tastings in the last couple of years and have read many books by people of the likes of Michael Jackson and have tried a fair number of  Single malts.  But invariably there are new things to learn - and great new whiskys to taste and this evening was no exception.  Low key but intense in leading one on in how best to enjoy the noble Water of Life, both in the close camaraderie of a gathering like this evening or in the quiet solitude of a wee sip by the fire in your own home.





Fishing Bird In Repose


The Post Wears Out


My Heart in Hiding Stirred For A Bird


I caught this morning morning’s minion, king-
dom of daylight’s dauphin, dapple-dawn-drawn Heron, in his riding
Of the rolling level underneath him steady air, and striding
High there, how he rung upon the rein of a wimpling wing
In his ecstasy! then off, off forth on swing,
As a skate’s heel sweeps smooth on a bow-bend: the hurl and gliding
Rebuffed the big wind. My heart in hiding
Stirred for a bird, – the achieve of, the mastery of the thing!

with apologies to Gerard Manley Hopkins 
 

Scarlet Tanager - Piranga olivacea


I haven't seen a male Scarlet Tanager for many years - though I did photograph and post a female a summer or two or so ago - and just a day ago I spotted one without my camera.  But this evening when Carol went out to do her walk she came hurriedly in telling me to grab my camera as there was a strange Scarlet Tanager on the drive that was quite tame letting her get within a few feet of her.  We figured it to be a hatchling trying out its wings.  By the time I got outside it was about nine feet up into a holly tree and the day was getting dark.  I managed to do some digital enhancement of light, and bright etc to bring out the main features of this brilliant bird.