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!

For My Friends In Cape Breton, that think we don't get blizzards down here in the states - school was called off for a week and the temperature plunged to 1 deg C












well just kidding of course - we did have a dust-up and the 1 °C was correct - though I can remember a June day looking like this with - 2°C and a dusting of heavy frost on the old Frank MacDonald Road in Grand River about 1974


Wheels Down


Digitally Enlargement of Ducks At The Old Dam Site - III


The Old Dam Site - Reflection of the early evening sky


Not Eagles


I was visiting one of my favorite stretches of the upper North East River, behind St. Mary Anne's Episcopal Church and its adjoining property that years ago had been sort-of 'qui tacet consentit' used as  a parking lot by the store known simply as The Wharf (although to maintain valid ownership of the churches property letters of notice were sent to several various owners - and as well that whole street would be partially barricaded with a sign reading private property no trespassing one day of every year).  Seeing nothing of great interest I was driving away when out of the corner-of-my-eye I glimpsed what seemed to be two eagles gliding in to land on a tall tree near the old mill tail-race (which they often do on the other side of the river) and even though there was no trace of white heads it could have been last years young birds.  Taking this photograph on zoom lens showed they were two Black Vultures (Coragyps atratus) - sometimes known as American Black Vulture.