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!

Maianthemum canadence

07 May 2013
07 May 2013

07 May 2013
Wild, Lily-of-the-Valley also known as Canada Mayflower - this lovely little plant is growing in profusion around an old white oak in our side yard  - Manitoba and Labrador south to Iowa, Tennessee (uplands), Georgia (uplands) and Delaware  according to my Field Guide to Wildflowers but obviously we also have to include 'south to Maryland', eh? 

Buttercups - Family Ranunculaceae

07 May 2013

07 May 2013

07 May 2013

Black Hill Cafe





- breakfast at Black Hill Cafe this morning  - Toasted whole wheat bread sandwiches with dab of butter, baby spinach, large slice sweet white onion, olive oil mayonnaise, and spicy red pepper hummus backed up with numerous cups of strong black English Breakfast tea 






Cloud

May 2013    © smck

Osprey With Fish - II

08 May 2013    ©smck
08 May 2013    ©smck

08 May 2013    ©smck
Note: In this 3rd, computer enlarged, photo you can see the large talons on its right foot grasping the tree.





Osprey
(Pandion haliaetus)
Ospreys (Pandionidae)
The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds Eastern Region © 1977

A large, long winged, “fish hawk” 
Body 21-24 inches (53-61 cm) long,  wings 54 – 72 inches (1.4-1.8 m)

Range; Breeds from Alaska to Newfoundland south to the Gulf Coast to Florida.  Winters Gulf Coast and California south to Argentina.  Also breeds in Eurasia, North Africa, East Indies, and Australia.  The habitat is sea coast, lakes, rivers and other bodies of water with food.  Nests are a mass of sticks and debris in trees, telephone poles, etc. and even on flat ground or rocks.  The Osprey’s entire diet is fish for which it is well equipped with sharp spiny projections on its feet.  The Osprey hovers over water till it sees a fish near the surface, at which point he plunges in feet first to grasp the fish with his talons.