Happy December 1st…

…from our backyard to your computer screen!

Today marks six months of posting to this blog on a daily basis. Life has gotten in the way of regular beach excursions but the scenery continues to inspire no matter where I look. The Bay of Fundy is a magical place… stay tuned for new places to discover.

Hope your first day of a new month, the last month for this year, be filled with time to reflect and enjoy the season. Blessings, Anna

Fluffy Snow…

…is falling today! Discoveries galore: from little puppy footprints to maple leaves hiding under a white blanket to lichen growing in the trees, the gently falling snow dampens the everyday noises and hides decay fall has left behind.

My favourite discovery this morning was the lichen and moss and how they welcomed the snowflakes, transforming themselves into a fairy wonderland.

May your day be filled with quiet moments to observe and discover. Have a wonderful day, Anna

Perseverance pays off…

I posted about my quest to find wave action several times already… Last Saturday afternoon I jumped in the car and drove the 4 km to Partridge Island Beach. Once I parked the vehicle I had trouble opening the door with the wind pushing against it. Ottawa House and Partridge Island Beaches are more sheltered, so when I didn’t see impressive waves I zipped up my coat, pulled the the hood over my head and set out toward East Beach by cutting across the saltmarsh.

This involved finding the rutted and pothole dotted road that I like to avoid with the car. The puddles were epic! But I was prepared. Wearing my rubber boots I had no problem navigating around the edges and even wading through some of the lower puddles. What fun!

The reward was some great waves looking toward Cape Split. I could have spent more time there, at the water’s edge, if it wasn’t for the relentless wind. At times it was so strong I was able to lean into it with my whole body weight and let go and I was kept upright. It’s an amazing feeling when that happens but this time of the year it is also quite cold. My hands were getting very stiff and I had trouble holding on to the camera.

There is always something to do and see at the beach and just as I turned around my eye caught a glimpse of the heart-shaped rock at my feet. The driftwood was calling me as well. I am always in awe when I imagine the force of the water required to push these heavy trees onto the beach where they stay until extreme high tides rearrange them.

I finished my walk along the quiet beach below Ottawa House and found enough interesting things to capture with the camera there. I call this an afternoon of lovely discoveries!

Happy Monday to all. May the start to your week be filled with serenity and peace. Best wishes, Anna

The Beach

It has been a blustery morning today and when I set out to check out the wave action at First Beach across from the Parrsboro Lighthouse I quickly realized that it would be a while before the tide was in again.

The rain was mixed with ice pellets and my friend Laura and I only braved a short distance before we walked back to the car with the ice pellets massaging our cheeks. It was refreshing… and the beach was littered with some lovely kelp ribbons.

No matter how grey the day might be there are always colourful and unique treasures to be discovered on the beach! Heading out without preconceived ideas and specific expectations has proven to be the best way to live so close to the Bay of Fundy. I know and trust that Mother Nature never disappoints and always sends some interesting things my way!

Stay warm, everyone! Enjoy your Saturday, Anna

Looking for Wave Action…

Where did this week go? The unexpected trip to Halifax sure disrupted my efforts to reestablish a routine of daily beach excursions. By the time things settled down it was Thursday and I was in dire need of beach time. The wind was strong and I imagined strong wave action… but when I arrived at Ottawa House Beach it was calm with the tide slowly rolling in.

I parked the car and set out for a short walk close to the waterline. The light was mysterious and changing constantly. Instead of waiting a few minutes for it to change it shifted from gloomy to bright every few seconds. The view toward Cape Split was shrouded in grey and with the sun hiding behind whisps clouds over Partridge Island, turning around and looking toward Parrsboro and Second Beach the cliffs were illuminated by bright sunlight.

The slideshow above tells the story much better than I can. The images below captured the beach up close. There was not much debris, the heavy surf on Monday and Tuesday must have carried away the usual treasures. But that’s ok… it kept my pockets lighter for a change.

No matter what the weather offers, a short walk at the beach is better than spending time on the couch. The wind finally picked up and sent me back to the car. It was great to get out and breathe some fresh air and have my hair dishevelled by the breeze.

Happy Friday, everyone! What’s on the agenda this weekend? Christmas craft sales are popping up everywhere here and I am turning my attention toward some seasonal decorating… and then there is the baking that needs to be done. I promised some friends to supply them with cookies for their open house in a couple of weeks. So much to do and so little time!

Enjoy your weekend! Best wishes, Anna

Observing the world

With the first snowfall comes new awareness. The world goes quiet, the noise of passing cars appears muffled, people’s voices less piercing and children playing in the distant playground don’t carry as far as on a sunny day. Yesterday’s decaying plant matter and low shrubs that seemed so uninteresting suddenly come into focus.

Wandering the usual path my attention is drawn to textures and monochrome colour schemes. I look. I discover. I crouch down to capture my flash of perception… and then the snowplough hurries past…

What a way to get pulled back to reality and everyday noises. Have a fabulous day, everyone! Best wishes, Anna

First Snow…

There were several weather warnings in effect the day before yesterday. We had an unexpected trip to Halifax for medical reasons and decided to get a hotel in the city but not without concern about leaving our home back in Parrsboro. The predictions for wind damage and flooding were dire… but once again it turned out that our worries were not necessary. The weather made its way toward Antigonish and Cape Breton where damage was severe, unfortunately. My thoughts go to friends and acquaintances as they navigate their lives through the damages.

We arrived home last night finding our home a little chilly but no issues other than two Christmas decorations that had fallen to the ground. Relieved and tired we settled back into our routine.

We woke up to light snowfall and a special weather advisory for 2 – 5 cm. After 40 years of blizzards while living on the Canadian Prairies I feel completely relaxed as I watch the snowflakes accumulate outside our living room window. I snapped a few pictures during my morning walk with the pups. So peaceful! So relaxing and it is setting the mood for the Lighting of the Town on Friday. Looking forward to the event…

Enjoy your day! Stay warm and stay safe, everybody! Best wishes, Anna

Calm Between Storms

The view over Chocolate Lake

In keeping with my daily posts a quick update from an unexpected sojourn to Halifax for a medical appointment. We decided to drive in a day early due to the weather forecast. The trip was one battling rain but the wind died down and the rain has slowed as well. This was the view this morning… haven’t been to a big city in about a year. Have to dig deep to get used to the busy roads and faster pace!

Hopefully we can turn the wheels west to head home later… only a cardiologist’s assessment will provide insights.

Take care out there. Best wishes for a reflective late fall day, Anna

Discoveries

“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.” – Marcel Proust

I make a point of walking every morning. It’s not just a time to myself, I walk our dogs and the route I choose is usually the same each day. Yesterday I veered off my regular path and was rewarded with new discoveries. I am grateful to the gardener who has not bowed to social pressure and the usual dates on the gardening calendar and cleaned up the flower beds for winter. These hosta leaves made me stop, examine their texture and stages of decay. They drew me in to capture them in their perfect imperfection. These images remind us that everything is fleeting. Life will not stay the same, nature will renew itself and die back again.

The Proust quote was perfect to put my experience into words. I had become too complacent walking the same streets. All it took to wake up was fifty steps beyond my usual turnaround point.

Parrsboro is a wonderful little town, community spirit soars and this time of year everyone is getting into the Christmas Spirit. This town still has a Santa Parade – even last year with Covid restrictions in place the parade was not cancelled. Santa mounted the fire truck and the mini-parade drove through each street, past each house and the positive energy spread sustained everyone for the season.

This year the parade is scheduled for December 3rd, on November 26th we have the Lighting of the Town celebration. Our choir will be bringing some Christmas cheer with traditional songs for everyone to join in. On December 4th Parrsboro Creative and the newly founded Fibre Guild are hosting a Christmas ornament make-and-take event. November 27 the annual highly anticipated craft sale takes place at the Legion and on December 4th another craft sale at the Fundy Geological Museum promises to add variety and opportunity to shop local. I haven’t even listed the concerts and plays at the Hall…

For such a small town the activities are countless. Can’t wait to experience them in person for the first time. Stay tuned for images along the way. Feeling blessed! Happy Monday, Anna

Watching the Sky

“I looked a hundred times
And all I saw was dust.
The sun broke through
And flecks of gold
Filled the air.”
– author unknown

This poem came to mind while out for my morning walk. The sky was magical, seagulls and Canada geese drew my attention up and then across the Parrsboro Aboiteau. What light! So mysterious and perfect to set the stage for a reflective day.

Enjoy your Sunday. Stay warm and may your storm preparation be in vain if you live in Nova Scotia… Best wishes, Anna

The Puddle

I could see the front door as I hurried past the frozen puddle this morning. Warmth was beckoning, the sunlight reflecting off the metal-clad chimney. I quickly reconsidered, turned around, away from the direction I was heading in while pulling the camera from my pocket.

The frosty patterns on the messy puddle were just too intriguing to ignore. Here I was, bending low, cars passing, heads turned, wondering what this crazy woman with two leashed ShihTzus might be doing, crouched low to the ground.

No, I didn’t drop anything! I was fully immersed in “filling the frame” with ordinary magic: There were leaves frozen into the ice, patterns resembling clouds and amazing lines I would never dream of putting on paper with a pen.

Beauty is all around us. It’s ours to discover every day. We just have to open our eyes and discover it. Happy Saturday! Best wishes, Anna

Golden Hour at Second Beach

What happens when you haven’t been to the beach in days? The pull becomes too strong to ignore. The day before yesterday was the first day that provided me with a window of time to head to the beach.

The tide was out and the cloudy horizon line was illuminated by magical sunlight when we stepped onto Second Beach. It was one of those moments where you can’t help yourself but quietly exhale and pause for a moment.

We negotiated the rocky shore pausing every few steps to capture the light just once more.. several times.

The image above is my favourite image for this outing with the golden sun setting behind Partridge Island and reflecting in the shallow waters at Second Beach. I could not have planned this moment better if I tried!

We soon returned to the parked car where I captured the panorama below.

As I turned the car around we discovered that a nearly full moon was rising in the east. By the time I pulled into the driveway at home, the moon was shrouded in mist and had risen high enough to reflect in the Ferrells River in our backyard.

My contemplative outing was the perfect conclusion to a long and tiring day. I am grateful for the imagery that presented itself. All I had to do was seize the moment and go out for a short while, camera in hand.

Wishing you a great start to your Friday. Hope you enjoyed the images. Best wishes, Anna

Patches of Light…

…as discovered during yesterday’s short stop at the Sugar Bush in Fenwick. The trees were devoid of leaves in sharp contrast to my last walk through this magical maple forest. But, as long as the sun shines there are wonderful discoveries to be made even during the latter part of November. I encourage you to click on each of the small images in the picture gallery above and observe and discover for yourself how the edges of dried up leaves can reflect their outline, and how a single spot of red shines like a beacon in the monochromatic mess of dried leaves covering the ground provides a spot for the eye to focus.

The puddles were frozen and a thick layer of ice kept the leaves suspended in time. I have always had an affinity for frozen puddles and the natural compositions they provide for deep contemplation.

It’s steadily raining here today, a true late fall day. The perfect time to just gaze at photos, hunker down in the studio and turn inward. Enjoy your day! Stay safe and warm wherever you are, Anna

Community Spirit Award 2021

This past Saturday Parrsboro was abuzz with activity and anticipation. Parrsboro is located in the heart of the Fundy GeoPark and was chosen as the location for the awards ceremony. Imagine, November 13th… and organizing an event outdoors!

This event included several local artists, invited to display and sell their work, two bands to entertain visitors and dignitaries and all of this on the Green surrounding the Bandstand. The weather through the night was not very promising but as the morning progressed the wet roads and grass dried up and by noon while we were setting up the sun came out and made us aware that we had dressed in too many layers.

While we set up our tables and waited for the official part of the afternoon to begin we were entertained by the group “All Together”, led by Parrsboro’s Band Hall director Rob Bentley on the keyboard.

Before too long the dignitaries arrived. Leading the group were the Honourable Arthur J LeBlanc and his wife, our MP Dr. Stephen Ellis, our MLA Tory Rushton as well as representatives from the MicMaw community and local governments for Cumberland and Colchester Counties.

Following the official welcome, honouring and acknowledging the MicMaw land we were gathering on and a few bars of “God Save the Queen” and “Oh Canada” Peter Hall, the MC handed the microphone over to the Lieutenant Governor Arthur J. LeBlanc. The speeches were brief but full of praise for the community and we felt quite proud about choosing Parrsboro as our place to live a little over a year ago. The community is vibrant, active, welcoming and evolving. The new playground was a vital part of why the GeoPark was this year’s recipient of the Community Spirit Award. The committee chair provided a wonderful summary of how the organizing group has progressed and once the speeches were made a group of children were invited to accept the award.

This particular event was the first in four Community Spirit Awards ceremonies following the start of the pandemic. Enthusiasm ran high and everyone in attendance applauded enthusiastically. The Acadian duo of Jacques and Guyaume entertained the crowd while His Honour Arthur J. LeBlanc and his wife Patsy mingled with the crowd and stopping by each artist’s table. He had kind words for everyone and took an interest in each person’s work. Colin and I received a heartfelt welcome from him when he realized that we had moved to Nova Scotia only last year.

The sun is setting over Parrsboro’s inner harbour on Nov. 13th, 2021

November 13th was a most memorable day. The evening sky added a perfect finish to all the activities.

Hope you enjoyed this short recap of an eventful November 13th, 2021 in the Bay of Fundy.

Have a great Monday! May it be filled with renewed energy and set the tone for the rest of the week. I woke up realizing that Christmas is less than six weeks away… Perhaps I will check out some local craft sales later this week. Stay tuned, Anna

Red Rocks in West Advocate, NS

When researching this particular stretch of beach in West Advocate I came across the following passage via the Fundy GeoPark website: The brick-red colour of the late Triassic Wolfville Formation at West Advocate gives this site its local name: ‘Red Rocks’. Largescale cross-bedding and trains of quartz grains record the flow of river systems coursing through the ancient valley of the Fundy Rift.

The picture above leading to the red rocks in the distance is very deceiving. It looks quite a long distance to reach the rock formations but it takes little more than 15 minutes of leisurely walking to reach these from the beach access point. I love the cottage along the way and make sure to stop and see if any new buoys have been added to the tree. The way the ropes tangle and the various stages of dilapidation of the buoys themselves always provide much entertainment.

The first time I visited here was in late 2020 and the red rocks had a powerful pull on me. The tide was higher, reaching the large rocks and with constant wave action, the sound that travelled toward me as I approached the area was something I cannot describe successfully. It was eerie, mysterious and powerful all at the same time. I wish I had made a video with sound last year as I have returned to this spot several times but never have I had the privilege to experience the ocean symphony again.

Last Thursday afternoon I found myself mesmerized by the constant wave action, the gentle breeze, warm sunshine and ancient red sandstone formation. A treat for the senses and one way to be rejuvenated by nature.

I hope you enjoyed this little excursion. Returning to the parking lot I could not resist capturing a few angles of the driftwood…

…after stumbling over a few treasures.

Check back tomorrow when I report on the special event when the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia came to town to present the first Community Spirit Award since Covid19 arrived in the province.

Happy Sunday to all! Enjoy some downtime. Perhaps take your camera out for an excursion. Best wishes, Anna

West Advocate Driftwood Beach

I promised you beach images… and beach images you shall get. After Cape d’Or it is only a short drive into Advocate Habour, and when you follow the road through this quaint fishing village, past the pier and the renowned Wild Caraway Restaurant toward Apple River (don’t you just love the names?) you will soon arrive at the sign directing you to Driftwood Beach.

Depending on the tides Isle Haute seems to move from the point where it feels like I can touch it when I reach out to the opposite, where it feels like it is miles from the shore and it will take hours to reach it by boat.

Thursday the tide was on its way in and the island appeared much further away than I expected. Once we parked the car and accessed the beach via the ramp the visitor has a choice: Turn left and explore Driftwood Beach or turn right toward the red rocks.

I moved straight ahead and approached the shoreline. The surf was calling me and as the sound of the waves washed over me I noticed some kelp at my feet where the waves met the pebbly shore.

I was still in “trying out the new camera” mode. Bending down to capture the wet folds and sensual curves of the kelp against the foamy waves with bright sunshine providing the perfect lighting for the images rewarded me with these luscious images. Once again I am so pleased with the latest edition of the iPhone camera. What a privilege to learn its functions and capabilities in this rich environment.

Emboldened by the new camera and encouraged by the lovely weather I turned right and headed toward the red rocks.

Stay tuned, tomorrow will bring the next installment of images captured of the rocks with my new iPhone. I discovered details along the way I had missed previously… I will share those treasures here tomorrow.

The Cliffs of Fundy Geopark is being honoured today as one of the winners of the Lieutenant Governor’s Community Spirit Awards for 2021. The award will be presented in Parrsboro at the Bandstand and the event is scheduled to run from noon till 3 pm. I am attending the event as an artist and will try to get some pictures to share here on Monday!

Enjoy your Saturday! Best wishes and please, keep your fingers crossed that we won’t be rained on during the festivities, Anna