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!

Two Painted Turtles - Chrysemys picta

17 April 2013    ©  smck
The first turtles appeared about 200 million years ago - long before there were dinosaurs.  Their shell is incorporated from an expanded rib system. And unlike other reptiles they have no teeth.  These Painted turtles are carnivorous when young and become herbivorous when mature.

updates will be coming

I have a new computer and Windows 8 - I am sure that like any peon in the ranks that I will eventually learn to use both the new computer and windows8 - but right now all I can think is that intuitive is a relative term and that modern corporations are running rough shod over the peons with accept this or else statements to agree to to continue - along with lack of even a rudimentary set of instructions - and I consider myself to be somewhat capable of solving many modes of existence but Microsoft leaves me out in the cold.  

Artist Adolphe-William Bouguereau (1825-1905)

If you have any interest in classical painting check out this - to me- unknown artist and his prodigious output of beautiful canvases.

Iceberg Spotting St Carols,Newfoundland - II



The bottom photograph is of the ground cover - beautiful and fragile - that we were crossing to approach the shoreline of French Bay, so we kept to the ever present rock out-croppings as much as we could.  The photos of Carol and I are some of the few tourist mug shots that we did on the trip (and I am glad we did do a few).