The first time I saw a lighthouse when I was little I wanted to live in one… These days I am convinced that the next best thing to living and maintaining a lighthouse is to live close to one. How lucky am I to have moved to a town with a lighthouse? No matter what the weather, the time of day, the level of the tide: The Parrsboro Lighthouse always holds interest for me. When we first arrived my favourite viewing point of the lighthouse was a five minute walk away. These days it takes me about 20 minutes if I walk and about five minutes when I drive.
Rather than rambling on about the lighthouse’s many picturesque attributes I will share an extensive slideshow with you below.
In the practice of Contemplative Miksang Photography we work with many themes. One such theme is called “the Motif in Landscape”. Obviously this is a subject that takes time to fully embrace. The local lighthouse is the perfect subject to explore as a “Motif” for me. The images presented today are only a small selection of the vast number of images I have created. I believe they represent a good overview of the lighthouse in the landscape… or perhaps better, the seascape.
If you are also interested in the captivating and long history of the Parrsboro lighthouse I will invite you to visit this site. Enjoy today’s post.
I was scrolling back through some images I captured in late November 2020 and April 2021 when we ventured out to Advocate Harbour. Parking at the Driftwood Beach parking lot gives the walker a choice: turn left off the ramp and enjoy all the driftwood you want or… turn right and head toward the Red Rocks in the distance.
The Red Rocks of Cape Chignecto have a special appeal. I remember the first time I visited this beach I was drawn by the colour, intensified by the deep blue sky overhead. I could hardly believe that this was on November 29th… No snow in sight. Yes, it was windy, and it was chilly enough that I needed my winter coat but the sunshine made everything so pleasant!
I had spotted the red rocks beyond the protective breakwater. And I felt compelled to stop and capture the images in the slideshow above as the rocks and pebbles lodged between the massive logs demanded my attention.
The rocks glow and, depending on how much time has elapsed from the last high tide, the wetter the rocks the more intense the colour. I can never get enough of these red sandstone rocks found in the Bay of Fundy. The driftwood perched on these immense rocks add to their interest and just call the photographer to explore to his or her heart’s content.
It’s time I head back to Advocate Harbour again soon. I haven’t visited the Red Rocks at all this summer. I will check the tide tables and look for a window of time that ensures I can walk around the rocks and explore them. It’s always a great outing, no matter the time of year!
Best of all, when the tide is just at the “right” level and the wave action is strong I am mesmerized by the deep-throated sounds that echo from the rocks as the water rolls in and collides with the formation. I have only witnessed this once and it instilled in me a feeling of deep respect. It was mysterious and powerful at the same time and it reminded me of the water’s force and how fast tides move in and out.
Stay tuned for summer images from this particular beach soon. It’s time to go back for another hike. Warm wishes, Anna
When daylight fades and you are exploring a shaded part of the rock cliffs looking for and photographing textures these bright yellow lichens appear to be the only surfaces capturing one’s attention.
I have been drawn in by their colour at dawn, dusk and wet, grey days. Reading more about these beautiful circles created by nature has only piqued my interest further. Here is some of the additional information I found fascinating.
At the end of Pier Road in Parrsboro the lighthouse is always my orientation point. Last Tuesday I found the clouds overhead mesmerizing. With their multilayered appearance, thier rich shading accentuated by the angle of the sun near sunset, they held particular interest for me.
Walking the familiar stretch along First Beach we came across a colony of gulls, some of them feasting on flounder carcasses they made quite the racket. This loner had walked off and seemed to be lost on the vast beach.
The light was just right to draw our shadows into elongated figures reaching toward the anchored boats on Second Beach in the distance. It was such a calm and pleasant evening without high humidity and no smoke haze from Western Canada. The previous evening the haze had made me feel like my vision was impaired. It was hard to believe that the smoke had reached our side of the country…
I walk along First and Second Beach regularly, always scanning the ground for eye catching rocks or a sign of well polished sea glass. However, I feel richly rewarded when the sky presents special cloud formations and evening light adds colours of peach and pink.
Located behind First Beach is a salt marsh that I have explored during all seasons. I love it when water is left between high tides. I quickened my pace when I discovered the breath-taking reflections presented in the slideshow above.
Here is proof and a vivid reminder to look around and take in all sights. It’s so easy to just focus on one plane and miss something else entirely. Enjoy the sights through my lens and make sure to go out and explore your own environment as well.
Wishing everyone a great Saturday, this last day of July. Perhaps you have plans to spend time with family, or you are in the process of charging your camera battery and about to head out of town… Best wishes! May your discoveries be rich, Anna
…or, how an every-day drive turned into an unexpected adventure.
It’s great to make friends with the locals! I met Laura on one of my first beach walks after quarantine late last October and we have been hanging out together ever since. Laura grew up in the Parrsboro area, moved away and then returned several years ago. She is a great guide when it comes to exploring close-to-home and out-of-the-way places.
A couple of weeks ago she sent a message “Going to look for mushrooms this morning. Interested?” No time like the present and I responded with a quick “yes”. within 30 minutes we were off exploring some new-to-me country roads, Laura chatting next to me while negotiating the rough road. We were in search of Chanterelles.
I was relieved that I actually knew what to look for as those were the mushrooms we would harvest in the fall during my childhood in Germany. After a couple of false alarms and inedible varieties of mushrooms we found a small patch near a place Laura used to live in. I think she was disappointed that there were so few Chanterelles compared to the past but it was enough to get us excited and filling up a couple small baskets. Dinners for both of us that night was enriched thanks to our little harvest.
I also found a couple Porcini mushrooms but wasn’t 100% certain if I was correct in my identification of this coveted mushroom variety. I sent a message to a friend whom we consider “the oracle” when it comes to mushroom identification. I never heard back until days later when I had already composted the find. The answer was a positive identification but it was too late to rescue them to add to a meal. Next time!
Emboldened and excited about our last mushroom hunting excursion we connected last week Saturday and set out in the direction of Apple River where, according to Laura, someone had definitely spotted Chanterelles a few days earlier. It’s an hour’s drive to Apple River and it was a glorious day for our excursion. We travelled on roads neither of us had driven before, we pulled over regularly but mushrooms were nowhere to be found.
We did come across a small Venus Flytrap plant on a path leading to the woods. What a treat to make this discovery when you least expect it! I had never seen Venus Flytrap in the wild and decided to spend some time on my knees trying to get a picture or two.
Unsuccessful in our quest of finding mushrooms at our planned destination we stopped for tea at the Church Cafe in Advocate Harbour on our way back to Parrsboro. Rested and restored we set out for home when, just past Spencer’s Island, we turned off onto another gravel road… just in case we could find a few mushrooms after all.
We soon travelled slowly between mature trees intently looking for signs of mushrooms. There: An opening in the woods to the right! I pulled the car over and we set out on foot. As our feet sank several inches into the cushy moss and with birds chirping overhead we breathed in the scent of the forest and let the quiet wash over us. Some call this “forest bathing.” With our eyes peeled for signs of funghi Laura was just making the statement that the environment was ideal for finding what we were looking for… when, for some reason I looked left, perhaps alerted by a slight movement, and there, expecting to look into the eyes of a deer, in the dappled light of trees… stood a human, blending in perfectly with his brown t-shirt, khaki-coloured pants, bearded, hair disheveled, barefoot, mud up to his knees…
I stopped on the spot, unable to move, gasping slightly while trying to find my voice in an effort to let Laura know that we were not alone! Laura is a lot quicker than I am when it comes to meeting strangers in the woods. She was all smiles and greeted him cheerfully. All I could muster was “I suppose we are trespassing?” while mentally trying to recall whether I saw a sign posted anywhere. The stranger’s response was “Is there such a thing as trespassing in Nova Scotia?” He smiled and told us to go ahead and check for mushrooms. He shared that he would collect them himself if he was certain they were edible. Then he turned and walked over to an area about 50 meters away where he was working when we first arrived a few minutes earlier. I still can’t recall what exactly he was doing and whether he has tools with him.
These were the only mushrooms we found and since we were unable to identify them definitively we left them behind in the mossy, sun-dappled forest clearing.
We waved good-bye, thanked the stranger for letting us come onto his land and returned to the car. Behind closed doors we both breathed easier and then we started to laugh and speculate who he might have been and what he was doing in the forest… We will never find out but it did elevate our heart-rate without exercise. At that point we decided that we had explored enough and that by now other mushroom hunter had gotten to the “good stuff” anyways. It was getting late in the day.
We won’t stop our excursions however, we will be more alert in the future when it comes to entering unknown forests, posted or not. Hope you enjoyed our heart-rate elevating adventure! Enjoy the long weekend (in Canada). Warm wishes, Anna
I came across the following poem and I felt compelled to share as it describes those of us who wander the beaches…
GATHERINGS by Nina Bagley
We are gatherers, the ones who pick up sticks and stones and old wasp’s nests fallen by the door of the barn, walnuts with holes that look like eyes of owls, bits of shells not whole but lovely in their brokenness, we are the ones who bring home empty eggs of birds and place them on a small glass shelf to keep, for what? How long? It matters not. What matters is the gathering, the pockets filled with remnants of a day evaporated, the traces of certain memory, a lingering smell, a smile that came with the shell.
What happens when there is a lot of penned up enthusiasm and months of social distancing? The local car club can pull together a car show in ten days or less… and people will come!
I am not really a car buff but decided to be a good sport and venture downtown when the announcement was made that the car show was scheduled for July 24th. I carried my mask… thankfully, because when I arrived at the far end of Lower Main Street the scene from the image above greeted me. I nearly turned around but I came with a friend and was about to meet up with Colin who decided to drive and park at the far end. I literally had to steel myself to face the crowd. I don’t even want to venture a guess how many people were crowding the sidewalks both ways. I kept saying to myself “I can’t remember the last time I have experienced this many people in one place.” Let’s just say, this far exceeded the 50 people for an outdoor gathering that is in place for Nova Scotia at the moment. Yes, I was anxious, but wearing a mask did help somewhat. Those of us wearing masks were definitely in the minority…
I did mention that cars are not really my interest but with my magpie tendencies I was lured in by colours and reflective surfaces.
Lines and curves will also pique my interest…
This vintage 1929 Model A garnered a lot of attention. Seeing a picture of what state it was in before the restoration is always a bonus!
And I love myself some shiny hood ornaments… I can get carried away easily capturing them from various angles.
Loved this sticker!
Here is an old station wagon that was parked on the side street but drew people in with its bright colour and chrome detailing.
Not part of the actual car show but worth mentioning was this old Cadillac with its novel solution as a response to the broken signal light…
And then I discovered a beautifully restored Victoria from my birth year. I sure wish we could undergo the same transformation as an old car…
There was musical entertainment, ice cream, hot dogs and a real sense of excitement all around. We navigated our way through the crowds up and down Lower Main but I was glad to walk back in solitude and quiet. Honestly, I experienced a bit of culture shock with all the people… I will ease into things gradually but it was great to see what Parrsboro can pull together in a very short time with restrictions gradually lifting.
Thanks for stopping by today. Hope you enjoyed the post even if you are not all that keen on old cars. Have a wonderful day. Warm wishes, Anna
I love the beach at Ottawa House by the Sea near Partridge Island in Parrsboro. We visited here for the first time in 2018 and that visit contributed greatly to our decision to make Nova Scotia our home.
Ottawa House by the Sea has a long history and its focus is to keep traditions and memories alive. July 22nd weekly story time resumed after a long hiatus due to Covid restrictions. There was a sense of excitement among our friends… their statement “It’s story time at Ottawa house tonight…” seemed like an open invitation not to be ignored. We decided to check it out. We are still a bit leery when it comes to gatherings of people we don’t know.
Ottawa House-by-the-Sea
But, there was no need to worry. A small group of locals were welcoming us on the front porch with warm smiles, we made our way to the storytelling room where several chairs were set up and we were encouraged to stick to our bubble. Masks are still mandatory here in Nova Scotia and we all observed protocol, only the person delivering a story was able to remove their mask to make it easier to project their voice and for us to hear them more clearly. I didn’t realize how much lip reading I am doing… still getting used to the Maritime pronunciation of certain words or phrases. (insert big grin here…)
I was able to watch the sky changing through the bay window and soon dusk followed the fast moving “cloud show”. The individual stories told and read were captivating and after nearly two hours coffee and squares were served. Admission is $2/person. Where can you get solid historical entertainment for such a bargain price these days? Parrsboro works hard at keeping history alive, to invite newcomers and make them feel at home. We had a great time, met some locals and learned a few things. We also learned that the Annual Car Show would be happening on July 24th. I will follow up with images and a story shortly!
Driving home we admired the almost full moon. I just love how different it looks from different vantage points. After I entered the living room and discovered it “hiding” behind the white pine I had to go outside on the deck once more to capture a couple images.
If you ever find yourself in Parrsboro, NS on a Thursday night during the summer try to take in storytelling night at the Ottawa House-by-the-Sea. You won’t be disappointed!
Stay tuned for more local activities now that Covid restrictions are slowly relaxing. Have a wonderful week. Warm wishes, Anna
“What? You haven’t been to Lowland Gardens yet? You are missing out!”
Moving and settling in takes time, claiming the garden space in one’s new backyard is a lengthy process and with Covid lockdown falling right in the middle of spring gardening season we kept putting our visit to Lowland Gardens off. The sign at the entrance reminded us that “one person per household only” was allowed to enter the greenhouses every time we travelled past to Masstown Market. Where is the fun in that? Only one of us exploring the offers? Besides, I am not a gardener and know precious little about horticulture in general. Colin has a degree in horticulture and entomology, so he is the man… but together we make a pretty good team when it comes to deciding which plants might enrich our new backyard.
Click on individual images to see them in more detail.
We have had some rainy episodes last week, some were thundershowers but we also experienced some heavy downpours at times. My friends and our family in Western Canada were envious, we are still getting used to the lush landscape here and the regular rainy days. It’s the complete opposite to when we lived in Calgary and Saskatchewan.
Wednesday night the setting sun had an orange tinge to it and it reflected bright red in the water, a sure sign that the smoke from the western provinces had migrated across the country. The rain on Thursday settled the smoke and washed everything clean again. Rain always intensifies the colours and brightens any garden. It was a great day to stop into Lowland Gardens, finally. It was not busy, in fact, we were the only people browsing season’s end specials of perennials and annuals for some time. I was in explore mode and discovered the goats and rabbits right away.
They are located near the great playground among a fantastic garden with wonderful plantings.
While Colin was busy selecting some perennials and grasses I was more interested in exploring the fabulous textures…
…soon shifting my focus to colour.
Names like Hurricane fern and Prince Tut grass lead the way. There were black petunias, deep red begonias, day lilies in all shades and tints, ornamental cabbages, richly textured succulents and fragrant herbs to explore.
We snatched an idea for a herb garden, picked up some basil, golden oregano, Cuban oregano or Vicks plant which is classed a succulent, what a surprise! It caught my attention with its thick hairy leaves which, when pressed gently, release oils penetrating the air with a scent of Vick’s Vaporub. I don’t think I will cook with it but rubbing it on your skin will keep insects away. I am all for that, especially in early spring when the blackflies are the bane of my existence.
We found some great additions to the garden and didn’t spend the world. Shopping late in the season is not always a bad thing. It was a great way to spend a rainy afternoon. Great Village is always a good place to visit, with its interesting history, several well appointed antique stores, a little cafe in the old church and the garden centre it holds great appeal for tourists and locals alike.
Thanks for tagging along to the garden centre today. I will make a point to share one of my antiquing excursions to Great Village in the future.
A great enjoyment of mine is to observe trees throughout the season. Living in Nova Scotia trees capture my attention wherever I go. They all seem to be so lush, their leaves so much bigger than what I saw on the prairies. When we first arrived in mid-October last year the maples were turning colour, lining the roads all the way to the AirBnB we were renting for the first few months.
During quarantine our world was limited and I explored the yard every day, rain or shine. Upon closer inspection I noticed big, black spots, reminiscent of polka dots, on the maple leaves that had already floated to the ground. Reading up on this phenomena it confirmed my suspicion that the cause of this condition was due to a fungal infection.
During a short walk with our dogs I passed a maple this week. I moved in with the camera just because I love the density of the foliage. Once I had captured the two images above I saw it: the leaves were covered in yellow spots, some of them already turning brown. Now it is only a matter of time before these morph into the large black dots I photographed last year…
October 2020, Nova Scotia
Despite the fact that high humidity and rain are not ideal conditions for shade trees I find beauty in what I dubbed the “polka dot leaves”. I see them through the eyes of the artist: there is so much to discover!
What do you think? Perfection is highly overrated: do you agree or disagree? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below if you are so inclined. Enjoy the last July week! Best wishes, Anna
My creativity is fueled by change. And there is no better place to live than close to the ocean as change is what presents itself during and after each tidal phase. I relish the sounds of the water: when the tide comes in or is near its highest point I close my eyes to be enveloped by the sound of waves crashing on the beach or over rocks. Water running off a rocky beach during the receding and low tide is another mesmerizing sound that can drown out distant man-made noises.
I am equally excited by the textures and colours revealed at low tide. Just the other day I discovered something different and perhaps less beautiful to look at: squid eggs. They were gelatinous masses reminiscent of discarded string mop heads that had washed up on Five Islands Lighthouse Park Beach. There, at the high tide line, I had an opportunity to get up close and personal with them.
And, if you have been following me on here for a while, you will recall my fascination with kelp, dulse and sea lettuce. When they are wet they sparkle and often look like draped fabrics. When they are dry they are equally as interesting as they attach to one another and tear apart when the moisture evaporates. I decided to pull together a small slide show with the images I gathered during this outing:
I just love the translucency that presents at this stage. The exposure to the heat of the sun hastens the process and each patch has its own beauty.
Dry versus wet, the beach at low tide is an endless source of inspiration to me with fresh discoveries at any time. As this, my first, summer in the Bay of Fundy advances I never grow tired of venturing out. I love to observe, contrast and compare the constant changes and along the way I am creating a reference library of images for those days that will be wet or cold which surely lie ahead.
Thank you for stopping by today to check out some mesmerizing textures and colours. I hope you found something interesting and perhaps even beautiful among the images. Have a wonderful day. Warm wishes, Anna
What makes one rock stand out among many? I am unable to explain why this particular rock face caught my attention. Walking across the rocky terrain with flat pebbles as small as the head of a pin, round pebbles the size of a small child’s head and those rocks that have fallen from a great distance only to split open once they make sudden contact with the ground my eyes scan the terrain briefly settling here and there. I take in the patterns, the textures and the colours.
This rock was too large to pick up, admire it up close or even consider lugging it home. Framing it with my camera to capture what drew me in as soon as I discovered it had to suffice. Each time I look at the image I discover new details: hearts in the centre and toward the bottom… strong line quality emphasizing depth, soft colours melding together yet each providing visual impact drawing the eye across and taking note of subtle differences.
The image draws me in, captures my attention fully and provides a way to drown out the world in its troublesome state. I feel at peace, mesmerized, my breath slows and I stay in the moment.
I hope this small meditation on a rock will set the tone for your day. May it be one filled with moments of calm and joy. Best wishes, Anna
Parrsboro and region is home to many beaches, each with their own character and points of interest. First Beach is located near the Pier and the busy Harbour View restaurant. My friend and I walk it often. We chat in an attempt to solve the problems of the world (mostly our world) and, if we are lucky, we find some great beach glass.
Second Beach is a little further out and can be accessed from Two Islands Road by turning onto Hawks Lane. When I need some quiet time or want to ensure I am not running into too many people I head to Second Beach. Last Sunday was such a day, I needed some alone-time to regroup and calm my emotions.
The landscape mirrored my mood, a little dark and lacking focus… I parked the car and began to walk toward the point, a distinct landmark along this beach. The first time I walked here last November I was nearly trapped by the high tide. These days I check the tide table app on my phone before I venture out.
I was pondering the qualities of water, those of destruction and the healing properties. I tend to look at water as a healing force but I was recently reminded that this can turn very quickly. Germany has had a stark reminder of the destructive forces of water just last week. Several members of my sister’s family have been affected and we are all grateful that they are safe and well cared for at this time. My mind was in turmoil, much like the mud-infused water churning along the overflowing rivers of the Ahr region where the affected family members used to live.
I made myself walk out onto the tidal flats where the sand was compacted and tidal pools presented their natural beauty. I looked up…
…and I immediately recognized the distinctive shape of a Great Heron standing perfectly still while observing his hunting grounds. I ventured forward.
But, at a certain point the heron became uncomfortable with my presence and flew off. As soon as I changed my direction he returned…
…surveyed the landscape for a brief moment and lifted off flying low over the calm waters in search of richer fishing grounds.
The beach walk was healing as always. After the Eagle feather I found, I always love walking through calm and clear water over the tidal flats. The encounter with the heron was a wonderful experience to complete my short walk. I felt rejuvenated and recharged.
I hope this short beach walk adds a positive note to your day. If you go out today look around and you may be surprised about a new discovery you have not witnessed before. Warm wishes for a bright day, Anna
There it was, perched on top of a driftwood log, blending in perfectly: My first Eagle feather! We see the majestic birds soaring overhead on a daily basis but finding a feather was a wonderful surprise. I was tempted to pick it up, bring it home, covet it… but then I remembered an important aboriginal teaching: “When you find an Eagle feather stop, admire it but do not take it with you.”
I briefly touched the feather but found myself hesitating and not comfortable in picking it up. I remembered from previous readings that these feathers are sacred to all aboriginal tribes across the world. I decided to get a picture and do further research. When I opened up my FB account yesterday there was a link to this video… The next full moon on August 6th/7th, 2021 is called the “Birds Shedding Feathers Moon” according to Mi’kmaw tradition. Was it a coincidence that I would come upon the Eagle feather last Sunday at low tide?
While researching the topic further I came across this interesting CBC article from 2019. And then I found a definition of what it may mean when one finds an Eagle feather. Here is the quote from “meaningoffeathers.com”:
“You are being asked to step back in a situation and look at it from a distance before making a decision. Find the strength in weighing up your options before you make a firm decision. You are being guided to trust in the Universe…”
Wise words as I am facing some challenges along with my family in Germany who have been severely impacted by the recent flood of the Ahrtal. My initial reaction was to jump in and help in any way I could think of, short of jumping on an airplane. The walk on the beach was part of an attempt to center myself and calm down after the first detailed voice message from my sister. Walking calms me, the Eagle feather provided some clarity and brought peace to my overactive mind.
Thank you for stopping by today. I appreciate the opportunity to journal and share my life and insights with all of you. I will post more images from this particular beach walk tomorrow. Warm wishes, Anna
The extensive slideshow I am sharing with you today is from a recent beach walk located between West Beach and Diligent River. The beach is rocky and not easy to navigate. Sturdy hiking boots made the roughly 8 km round-trip hike manageable. The geological formations at our end destination, at times shrouded in mysterious mist, requires no wordy descriptions. The slideshow photo essay is self-explanatory.
Spencer’s Island Beach is the first beach we ever visited after mandatory isolation when we first moved to Nova Scotia. The beach always brings back a strong positive emotional response. I realized that I have now visited this place during all seasons. Yet, never before have I experienced a low tide where I was able to wade out in the sandy area to witness sand dollars partially submerged in a protective layer of sand and covered by the warm waters of the Bay of Fundy.
Further from shore Spencer’s Island was shrouded in mist and looked even more mysterious than during chilly winter months. When I visited here during a rainy day two weeks ago the island was barely visible but this time the water was steely grey and calm and the island appeared to float as it was almost impossible to differentiate between water and sky.
The kelp on the shore and in the water seemed to mimic the shape of Spencer’s Island.
I was struck once again by the inspiring compositions created by Mother Nature. Kelp, dulse and sea lettuce always remind me of abstract paintings where paint remains wet and shiny.
Pondering both, the healing and destructive powers of water, I separated from my group to walk out on a sandy patch between seaweed covered rocks that are only accessible during such a low tide. After only a few minutes I found myself calmer than I have been for days.
We all have our preferred place to find inner peace. Many friends will hike in the mountains or walk across a freshly harvested field on the prairies. the ocean has been my go-to place to regain inner balance and move past emotional turmoil.
Do you have a special place you seek out when your equilibrium is out of balance? Leave a comment below, and share away. May your Sunday be peaceful and rejuvenating, wherever you are! Warmest wishes, Anna
Once in a while, depending on how high the tides are, we make discoveries that delight and amaze at the same time.
The white markings are from the saltwater that evaporated and, like magic, left behind these cross-hatching marks. Each white mark adds interest to the already fascinating rock and its original colouring. No matter how often I come across these marks, I never get bored exploring them. Each rock section constitutes an artwork itself.
Thanks for stopping by today. Enjoy the images above. May you delight in their individuality and differences. Warm wishes, Anna
I actually stopped for the first time to read the plaque in its entirety…
I am always grateful for information on any given trail. The information provided here is spot on. “Second Wind Bench” is a popular resting spot for many…
“Second Wind Bench”
…some images of the area around “Second Wind Bench”
The next stretch of trail leads to one of my favourite look off points and the weather could not have been better to enjoy the view!
Yes, these are tree roots that span the width of the gorge below. The light was perfect as the trees filtered the harsh mid-day sunlight. Birds were chirping and just when I thought it was blissfully quiet I realized that the sound of a powerful motor boat was traveling across the water. This was a good time to carry on.
A little ways further up the path I located another two information plaques…
…but after that I was guided by my responses to the lush environment. The light illuminating foliage, spots of sunlight on the lush moss, bark separating from trees, smooth and shiny tree bases, the wind rustling gently through the trees…
When I arrived at this bench bathed in sunlight I reached a place where no man-made sounds traveled: Cheerful bird song overhead, the faint sounds of water from the beach below completely devoid of motor sounds or human voices. Pure bliss!
The view from the bench
Eventually I carried on toward an even better view. The ultimate destination is the look off tower, every time!
In one direction the Bay of Fundy looking toward Cape Sharp, in the other direction a mixed forest and not another soul anywhere.
On the way back I made more discoveries just following my instinct. I never veered off the path and yet the discoveries were limitless! I was especially intrigued by the curling bark.
Soon I was nearing the beach access where I started. It’s always wonderful to head downhill.
Balancing Act
These dead branches caught my attention. I asked myself how long the long branch will remain across this grouping. The next strong wind might just shift or send it crashing down. I will make sure to check next time I explore Partridge Island.
A strong reminder that summer is advancing quickly was brought to my attention just as I was about to leave the cooling trees behind: Berries are ripening in record time! This blackberry will be ready for picking very soon…
Thanks for joining me as I reflected on my afternoon on Partridge Island. May it set the tone for a relaxing weekend. Best wishes, Anna
Tide Rollers & Mudlarkers... 