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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Newfoundland Highway Garden ,



July 2012


As we drove along the mile after mile of undeveloped land we noticed plot after plot of gardens like these pictured here, all miles from human habitation. I am not certain of the details but from conversation with local people at our various stops it seems that most homes are on rocky land near harbours with little soil suitable for growing vegetables.  So along some of the highways that are built across large areas of heath-like soil, people are allowed to do these gorgeous gardens - with the fences to keep out the wilderness herbivores, deerm, moose, coyotes, etc.  As with fire-wood, sledges and like that we have seen along the roads there seems to be a decent honor system so that the toilers can reap the rewards.

Iceberg Spotting, St. Carols, Newfoundland - III

- the iceberg seems to be drifting to the right into French Bay

more of the lovely understory between the rock outcroppings

it is hard to judge distance and size but the tour boat in the left background gives some perspective to the berg

here the boat has passed behind the iceberg and is headed to the far shore of French Bay

the 'slob' ice noticed in the previous photo at the bottom is shown in more detail here

12 July 2012    © smck

Dinner At The Tidal Demarcation




23 April 2013    ©  smck
On my way back from a presentation on local economy by Anirbam Basu I stopped by one of my favorite local sites for seeing The Great Blue Heron.  Here where the North East River has its' demarcation from tidal to non- tidal seems to be a great spot for these whirly birds to seek food.