The Dutchman Dairy Exotic Animal Farm in Economy, NS

One destination left to fully explore in our area has been the Dutchman Dairy Animal Enclosure. I snowshoed through parts of it last March and knew then that I would bring the grandchildren when they come for a visit. We made it there last Wednesday. Admission per person is $4.25+tax. Children receive two small bags of animal feed and two quarters each to buy more feed at the converted gum ball vending machines along the way. All in all the admission is good value for money.

The bird population is much reduced this year due to worries about Avian flue. But the children still enjoyed themselves immensely! I think hugging the emus came out as a top experience! Let the photo essay speak for itself:

Alongside the animals the plantings throughout kept my attention span on high alert. I was able to explore my mindful photography side. These images will be shared in my next post. Wishing you all a restful Sunday. Cheers, Anna

When the Fog Lifted…

After a day of regrouping and dealing with a quiet house I made time for a Beachwalk. First and Second Beaches were shrouded in most, the fog horn sending its piercing sound across the water.

As we rounded the point the fog had lifted and revealed some stunning colours. It was time to fully exhale and see the world anew!

Nature has a way to delight and lift the soul. Peace and joy to all this weekend. Best wishes, Anna

Soley Cove Vistas and Impressions

Soley Cove in my books has a special notation. I call it “The Magic Beach”!

Today’s photo essay might just bring some magic to your day. Enjoy, Anna

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Joggings Fossil Cliffs

I finally made it to the Joggings Fossil Cliffs Interpretive Centre.

In the past we hardly came across a soul. Yesterday the parking lot was filled with a large tour bus and cars from across Canada and Eastern US. It is good to see that Nova Scotia’s primary industry, tourism, is rebounding!

With family visiting we explored the grounds around the Fossil Cliffs Centre and the beach first. The wind was strong but on the warm side. Visibility to New Brunswick was not so good with the heavy mist. But the rocks under our feet glowed!

The surf of the receding tide was the perfect accompaniment for our short stroll looking for fossils in the cliffs and on the beach!

I managed to add a great book to my library to help me enrich my knowledge of the area.

I can’t wait to find a quiet moment to dive deeper into the information packed publication.

After climbing the stairs back to the top we entered the Fossil Centre and immersed ourselves in ancient, 325 million years to be exact, history. Make sure to click on each image to get the information I was trying to capture.

I will sign off with this short, thought-provoking quote today. Wishing you all a peaceful, reflective Tuesday. Best wishes, Anna

Just A Girl Exploring the Ocean Floor…

The best place to see out a hot day is the beach as the tide tools in!

We looked for treasures along the shore, gathered some to create instant art works, pulling out this, inserting that. It was labour the cooling breeze and enjoying that moment.

Wishing you all a blissful Monday. Cheers, Anna

Colour everywhere!

Colourful rocky beaches are what I have come to expect along the Fundy Shore. No matter how often I return to the same beach new discoveries are never far off. This heart was waiting for me this morning!

Happy Saturday! Best wishes, Anna

It’s Summer… It’s Lake Time!

Leake Lake is a hidden gem located just outside the Parrsboro town limits close to the Sunshine Inn Cottages. It’s a recent addition on the Fundy GeoPark destination map, a place I had not previously explored. With family visiting it was the perfect place to check out and cool down in during a hot afternoon!

Time to exhale and relax! Happy Friday, Anna

Sometimes…

Sometimes one just had to pull back from the big landscape views available and go inward.

The light was perfect this morning. Filtering through the hedges, illuminating tips of individual leaves, casting shadows and providing countless opportunities to capture images in just one very small area.

Happy Thursday to you all. Best wishes, Anna

July Outing to Clarke Head

It has been a glorious morning already. I just returned from a quick hike to Clarke Head, my favourite place close to Parrsboro.

After all the rain yesterday todays sunshine provides a welcome change. It is summer after all!

Not a cloud in the sky, waves crashing at the shore and not a soul in sight… the perfect start to an otherwise busy day.

Clarke Head, it’s good for the soul!

Wishing you all a fantastic Wednesday, Anna

Evening Walk as the Fog Rolls in…

There is something contemplative about walking in the mist. Last night it became apparent that the weather was about to change. With the change of the tide mist began to rise off the Bay of Fundy waters in the Minas Basin. Cape Blomidon was quickly shrouded in fog, Cape Split was already invisible as was Cape Sharp.

Partridge Island was the lone basalt sentinel but before the hour had passed the mist was doing its best to provide cover.

One day I will explore Partridge Island while it is hiding…

Hope your day today was less wet than our’s. Wishing you all a wonderful Wednesday evening. Best wishes, Anna

Just had to do it again!

…walking around Two Islands, that is!

A small group got together this morning and crossed over to the Big Island. This time we walked counter-clockwise.

I tried to weigh one route against the other and they measure up equally. I was glad I had made the treck just a couple of days ago as I was prepared for slippery sections. And I avoided the larger rocks near the arch, it really is easier to walk along the water’s edge!

Unexpected vistas and treasures under foot make each circumnavigation unique!

Happy Sunday everyone! Best wishes for a relaxing day, Anna

Return to Soley’s Cove as the Tide Rolls in

My friend and I were looking for a less populated beach to explore this morning. We found just what we were looking for at Soley’s Cove in Lower Economy.

We removed our shoes and walked through the fine red sand for a bonus pedicure…

…uttering with gratitude in our voices “We live here!”

Enjoy the images. Happy Saturday to all, Anna

Circumnavigating Two Islands

Today has been momentous: I joined a hiking friend in a walk around the Two Islands and it was amazing. I have always been fascinated by these basalt giants but after actually crossing the knee-high water at low tide toward Big Brother I have a whole new appreciation for these geological formations.

The rocky beach of the big island is not easy to master. Slow and steady was the motto. The basalt cliffs are truly breath-taking and standing below them makes one realize just how small we are… I loved catching glimpses of Little Brother, the smaller island, in the distance.

The entire hike was only about 7.5 km but we took our time stopping, creating images, enjoying the views and treading carefully across barnacle-covered rocks and wading through standing water in lower beach areas.

Treasures galore: hermit crabs scurrying to hide behind rocks, squid eggs, dulse, kelp and sea lettuce add colour to the ocean floor during low tide. There was jasper, agate and other interesting rocks too heavy to carry home.

Once we made it back to shore we spent an hour just watching the light change. Mist was rising with the incoming tide and it was difficult to find a time to leave without feeling we might miss something.

Two Islands, Big Brother and Little Brother, worthwhile exploring! Watch the tides carefully and consider asking a more experienced hike leader to show you the way.

Hope you enjoyed today’s photo tour. Happy Friday, Anna

This Rock Hound is Getting Serious!!

It was only a matter of time until I needed to learn more about the rocks and minerals lining the Bay of Fundy shore. The Rocks & Gems publication from the Smithsonian Institute is packed with geological info from the creation of the earth’s crust to rocks, minerals and fossils around the world. It is all-encompassing but I was looking for more specific information.

Our area is well-known among rock hound circles. The annual rock and gem show is returning to Parrsboro mid-August and excitement is building.

After my Rock & Gem book purchase I wanted to dive deeper into agates. The only book I could find locally is a Firefly publication at the Fundy Geological Museum gift shop. I did my bit to support the local economy and picked up a copy today. Coffee is brewing. I can’t wait to dive deeper into the book. Touring the beach yesterday leaves me wanting for more…

Isn’t this a fabulous piece of agate we found yesterday? Interested in a guided tour? Check out my tour info on the blog’s “About” and “Guided Tours” pages. The navigation menu is in the upper right corner.

Wishing you all a fantastic day, Anna