English Harbour Encore
Posted: December 17, 2013 Filed under: Mineral World, Newfoundland, Water | Tags: arts, dry stone wall, English Harbour, English Harbour Arts Centre, Newfoundland, ocean Leave a comment
English Harbour Arts Centre, August 2013
Here’s two views of the English Harbour Arts Centre that we visited last August while in Newfoundland. It was wonderful seeing such positive human endeavours in this setting of beauty by the ocean. The stones you see in the foreground are part of a spiral dry stone wall, created during a workshop at the Centre.
English Harbour Arts Centre with dry stone wall, August 2013
Freshwater Fjord, Gros Morne National Park
Posted: November 4, 2013 Filed under: Mineral World, Newfoundland, Water | Tags: beauty, Canada, cliffs, fjords, former fjords, Freshwater Fjords, geology, glaciers, Gros Morne, Gros Morne National Park, nature, Newfoundland, Western Brook Pond 3 Comments
Freshwater Fjord, Western Brook Pond, Newfoundland, August 2013
In August when we were in Newfoundland, we travelled to Gros Morne National Park in the western part of the province. Gros Morne is a large, extremely beautiful park with a great variety of land and sea scapes. The park has been designated a world heritage site by UNESCO.
On the tour of the freshwater fjord, August 2013
We had heard that we must go see the freshwater fjord in Western Brook Pond while we were in Gros Morne. We took everyone’s advice and booked a two hour boat tour on the Pond.
Fjords are long, narrow inlets in the sea with high cliffs arising on each side. The steep cliffs were carved out of rock by glaciers from former ice ages. Western Brook Pond once was connected to the ocean but it was cut off from it after the glaciers melted and the land, having less weight upon it, rebounded.
On the boat tour of the freshwater fjord, August 2013
We had a sunny day with a bit of wind on the lake, enough to regularly splash those of us standing excitedly at the bow to get great views of the cliffs as we travelled into their midst. Another experience of profound beauty in Newfoundland.
Freshwater Fjord in Newfoundland, August 2013
Skerwink Trail, Newfoundland
Posted: October 27, 2013 Filed under: Mineral World, Newfoundland, Plant Life, Uncategorized, Water | Tags: beauty, Canada, cliffs, hiking, nature, Newfoundland, ocean, Skerwink, Skerwink Trail, Trail 4 Comments
At the start of the Skerwink Trail in Newfoundland, August 2013
Another very beautiful and dramatic trail in Newfoundland is the Skerwink Trail. Skerwink is a local name for a Shearwater, a type of bird that lives in open sea–a pelagic seabird. The 5.3 km trail is near the town of Trinity. We hiked the trail in August, often near the edge of cliffs overlooking the ocean. We took our time walking, stopping to photograph the land and sea, and to catch our breath as we climbed ever higher.
The trail is maintained wonderfully well with many stairs to help you in the ascent. I was exhausted at the end of the trail, but did not regret taking it.
Skerwink Trail along the Atlantic Ocean, August 2013
A view from the Skerwink Trail, August 2013
On the Skerwink Trail, August 2013
Climbing the Skerwink Trail, August, 2013
East Coast Trail, Pouch Cove, Newfoundland
Posted: October 14, 2013 Filed under: Mineral World, Newfoundland, Water | Tags: beauty, Canada, coast, East Coast Trail, hiking, nature, Newfoundland, ocean, Pouch Cove, Rocks, Trail Leave a comment
East Coast Trail, Newfoundland, with Pouch Cove in the distance, August 2013
On this Canadian Thanksgiving, here’s photos from our hike on the East Coast Trail in Newfoundland last August. Finding this trail was something we were certainly thankful for. On our last day in Newfoundland, we travelled to Pouch Cove–pronounced Pooch Cove–to go to an artists’ studio tour. We arrived a bit early for the tour and drove around the town. When I saw a sign saying “parking for trail” I pulled over and we got out. There was no sign of a trail, but luckily several hikers got out of another car and we got directions from them.
East Coast Trail, Newfoundland, August 2013
Down the road a short way, we came to a sign for the East Coast Trail that we hadn’t realized you could get to from here. This trail runs 265 km along the Avalon Peninsula. My husband had read that it was very beautiful. And here, we had happily come upon the northern most entry point without planning to do so.
East Coast Trail, Newfoundland, August 2013
We hiked for around two hours, seeing vast views of the coast with cliffs and rugged rocky outcrops, some encrusted with lichens of different colours. A terrific way to end our trip.
On the East Coast Trail, Newfoundland, August 2013
Rocks on the East Coast Trail near Pouch Cove, Newfoundland, August 2013
Twillingate, Newfoundland
Posted: September 29, 2013 Filed under: Mineral World, Newfoundland, Water | Tags: Atlantic Ocean, beauty, Canada, nature photography, Newfoundland, ocean, rock, Twillingate 2 Comments
View from the trail by the lighthouse in Twillingate, August 2013
I’m not following a chronological order in writing about my travels in Newfoundland. So, today I’ll take you to the town of Twillingate which we spent an afternoon in this past August. It’s on the edge of the Atlantic and has breathtaking views near the lighthouse.
From the Twillingate Trail, August 2013
We arrived at the lighthouse in late afternoon and saw that there were trails leading down along the coast. We only went a short way a short way along the trails because of the hour. Even so, we looked out over a sweep of hills, rock and ocean that were of extreme beauty. Here’s a few photos of my favourite view.
A closer view of the land from the lighthouse trail in Twillingate, August, 2013
Bay Roberts Trail, Day 2
Posted: September 19, 2013 Filed under: Mineral World, Newfoundland, Water | Tags: Bay Roberts Heritage Trail, beauty, Mad Rock, nature, Newfoundland, ocean, rock, Rocks, whales Leave a comment
Bay Roberts Heritage Trail, Newfoundland, August 2013
We returned to the Bay Roberts Heritage Trail/Mad Rock Trail in Newfoundland, Canada the next day, this time driving to the ocean and starting there. The name Mad Rocks comes from the rocks offshore that have been particularly treacherous for ships. Again, the beauty was intense. We stopped for long stretches and sat on the rocks taking in the ocean and fresh air.
Bay Roberts Heritage Trail, Aug. 2013
We had no expectation of seeing whales in August, but we were fortunate to look out over the water and see many minutes of a whale surfacing and submerging as it travelled alongside the rocks. This was a terrific experience even though I cannot identify the whale(s) we saw that day.
Narrow Rock off of Bay Roberts Heritage Trail, Aug. 2013
Bay Roberts Heritage Trail, August 2013
Bay Roberts Heritage Trail, Newfoundland
Posted: September 16, 2013 Filed under: Mineral World, Newfoundland, Water | Tags: Avalon Peninsula, Bay Roberts, Bay Roberts Heritage Trail, beauty, Canada, Conception Bay, nature, nature photography, Newfoundland, ocean, rock, rocky outcrop 2 Comments
Bay Roberts Heritage Trail, Newfoundland, August 2013
While in Newfoundland, we took two extremely beautiful hikes on the Bay Roberts Heritage Trail off of Conception Bay. This post shows photos from the hike we took on our first full day in Newfoundland. We were practically overwhelmed by the beauty, something we frequently felt on our travels. We walked over rolling land with sweeping views of ocean, rock, grasses and wild plants. Signs told of the history of the settlers on the land.
Bay Roberts Heritage Trail, Avalon Peninsula, Newfoundland, Aug. 2013
Rocky Outcrop on the Bay Roberts Heritage Trail, August 2013
Cape St. Mary’s Encore
Posted: September 10, 2013 Filed under: Animal Life, Mineral World, Newfoundland, Water | Tags: Bird Rock, birds, Canada, Cape St. Mary's Ecological Reserve, ecological reserve, kittiwakes, nature, nature photography, Newfoundland, Northern Gannets, ocean, rock Leave a comment
At Cape St. Mary’s, Newfoundland, August 2013.
I’m back at the Cape St. Mary’s Ecological Reserve in my mind. This photo shows Northern Gannets and Kittiwakes on tiered rock. The expanse of ocean, rock and huge numbers of birds created exuberance in many of us there. Indeed, while setting out for Bird Rock, we came upon 2 people from England returning from the walk. We talked for a few minutes, as people often do in natural settings. The man told us that he is a volcano watcher and has been to see some fantastic volcanoes. Nevertheless, he said, what he had just witnessed at the Cape had been the greatest natural experience of his life. Later, I would have the same feelings.
No Denying Newfoundland!
Posted: August 27, 2013 Filed under: Animal Life, Mineral World, Newfoundland, Water | Tags: Canada, hike, Mad Rock, minke whales, Newfoundland, No Denial Path, ocean, Rocks, signs, whales 2 Comments
One of the great signs we came upon while hiking near Mad Rock, Newfoundland, August 2013
I’ve just returned from nearly three weeks in beautiful Newfoundland. Many posts to come from the east and west of the island. This hike near Mad Rock was terrific. Views of the ocean, dramatic rocks and rolling terrain. We loved the signs we encountered, particularly this one. It was near here, on rocks by the ocean, that we saw whales nearby. Our best guess is that they were minke whales.
Fleabane on the Alvar at Singing Sands
Posted: July 22, 2013 Filed under: Mineral World, Ontario, Plant Life | Tags: alvar, Bruce Peninsula National Park, erigeron philadelphicus, Fleabane, flowers, nature photography, Ontario, Philadelphia Fleabane, Singing Sands, wildflowers Leave a comment
Fleabane growing on the alvar at Singing Sands, Bruce Peninsula National Park, June 2013
While I was on the Bruce Peninsula, I saw many patches of lovely pink/white and yellow flowering Fleabane. The flowers are 1/2 – 1″ wide on a plant 6 – 36″ high. Fleabane is in the aster family. It got its name from the belief that the dried flower heads would get rid of fleas, according to the Audubon Field Guide to Wildflowers. This particular type is, I believe, Philadelphia Fleabane, Erigeron philadelphicus. A similar plant called Robin’s Plantain, Erigeron pulchellus seems to have fewer white/pink ray petals. If I’ve gotten this wrong, do let me know.
These shown above are at Singing Sands, on the alvar, the pitted rocks. I learned that alvars only exist in Estonia, Sweden and the Great Lakes Basin. Water from rain or melting snow collects in the rocks’ small depressions along with silt and sand. These provide growing places for plants that are able to live in harsh conditions.
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