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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Hawk - Entrapped In Duck Pen

06 October 2013



We had just gotten out of the truck after returning home from The St. Francis Blessing of The Animals service at St. Mary Anne's Episcopal church when we could hear the crows in that frenzy of call when they have found a perching owl in day light hours - but in this case a different bitter enemy who had somehow gotten into our neighbors enclosed duck pen - there were no visible signs of the net-like covering across the top being torn apart.  The hawk had not seemingly bothered the ducks and seemed more concerned at fleeing his captivity.  I took advantage of his enforced proximity and took about six to seven quick photos - by which time Mr. Hawk (I still have not identified him even though I have these good close-up photos - he might be one of the minor variants that are alluded to in my birding book) had entangled himself upside down in the netting and was unable to free himself.   

My wife and I now think that this is the Red-tailed Hawk = Buteo jamaicensi - with a colour variation from most birding books (the white legs and feet were what had me most confused).