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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Mallard Pair Bottom Feeding



01 April 2013
Ancestor of the common white domestic duck, wild Mallards frequently inter-breed with domestic stock producing a bewildering variety of patterns and colors.  They also hybridize with wild species such as the Black Duck and the Pintail.  Mallards are strong fliers and sometimes reach isolated oceanic islands where the isolated off-spring may evolve into new species.  A pretty impressive duck indeed.

Visitors In The Last Seven Days 0r So

United States
229
Canada
50
Germany
31
Russia
28
Ukraine
2
France
1
United Kingdom
1
India
1
Saudi Arabia
1

Today Female Mergansers




01 April 2012
I am fairly certain that these are Red-Breasted Merganser females - Mérgus serrátor - (from the coloration of the face and the spikiness of the crest). 

Male Mallard Near Twin Bridges




30 March 2013
Usually my photos never capture the feet of a swimming duck but today, where the North East River passes under what was called 'Twin Bridges' in my youth and emerges on the last stretch of tidal waters, even though the waters had a muddy tinge they were clear enough to see his webbed feet propelling and turning him in his maneuvers as he searched for food.  Still under the bridge Mrs (plain dull brown) Duck was persuing venues of her own and only showed herself when I had folded my camera away.