"Berg Break"

One can only hope that the Icebergs ply the waters off Newfoundland and flow as freely in 2008 as they did in 2007. Their presence sparked alot of constructive debate on whether or not they should be paddled near. I believe it is like most things with kayaking know your environment, know your skills and access the dangers and accept or decline the challenge.
I sure was tired when this shot was taken. I had the most restless sleep as I lie in bed contemplating my paddle with the berg in the morning. I couldn't wait to get on the water. It was extremely choppy, especially trying to take some shots of this thing. Neil happened by and took this shot as I just pulled in to the shore and he actually was a welcomed hand in bringing my kayak up the embankment.

The sleepless night was well worth the thrill of paddling near such a monstrousity. More shots of this berg are in the archives of "June" on this blog.

"Snow Down"

A Swan square dance/swim of sorts. A riverly procession.

"Berried"

Buried beneath a clump of snow the dogberries showoff their robustness during early December days. The transpiration , cohesion-tension hypothesis may be frozen here. During hike of Dec16th 2007.

"Moon Over Beatton"

A moon high above the Beatton River in Northern BC. In another time and space.

"Happy Holidays"

"Peace River"

"Tree Hanging"

As our first winter storm approaches I couldn't help remembering hanging out in my hammock in the trees on a sweet summer day. Vancouver Island well actually Salt Spring Island. Soon god soon. This is a Hennesey Hammock made on Vancouver Island actually. They have a mesh net that covers the top portion and seals it to the bottom part. There is an opening in the bottom that you crawl up into the hammock and turm your body diagonally which helps reseal the opening (seals with velcro). It is very comfortable, off the ground, free from bugs and there is a tarp that protects from a light rain. At night I put an air mattress under my sleeping bag all of which is also turned diagonally. All that is really left to do is to listen for the wind and enjoy the rhythm as you rock to sleep while savoring the sweet smells of the forest and the various hummings of breezes blowing through the branches and the leafs of your bedposts.

You can't be suspicious of a tree, or accuse a bird or a squirrel of subversion or challenge the ideology of a violet. -- Hal Borland

One of my favourite trees on the Island is the Arbutus tree. It sheds it's red bark and lays bare its' flesh which has a red kind-of pomergranite color to it. Very knarly and spectacular. Quite awesome to sleep in. More on Arbutus at: www.bceh.com/arbutus_trees.htm

"Dildo Pond"

Well I'm telling a lie here because this is not the name of the pond but it is the beginning of my South Dildo paddle on Nov. 16th, 2007. I didn't paddle the pond but saw this just as you come into South Dildo. I new my paddle would be sweet and was anxious to "get-at-er".

"Spread Eagle Island"

Coming from Rosses Island and Dildo Island you pass by Spread Eagle Island on the right here and South Dildo Harbour is in the Distance. I did wonder what inspired the names of these islands though..........lonely days and lonely nights perhaps. Heh. Heh.

"Dildo Portal"

Dildo Island has a few landing spots with coarse gravel and shards of shale in spots but the rock formations and diversity is ever present in a very small area.

"Mystical Spires"

On every kayaking paddle there is always something that tends to stand out from most other parts of the trip for me on this trip was this rock formation at the end of the Islands outside South Dildo harbour. Their colors and sharpness are much more appreciated when you can be there to experience it. I actually smucked bow first into the rock island as I was taking a series of pictures. I was so captivated and trying to get a good shot as I was steering with my feet the stern rudder, looking thru the view finder which makes things appear further than they actually are, oblivious to the wind howling at my back, when all to, all of a sudden................thud.

"November Green"

It is always sweet to be able to take a kayaking lunch break on any beach in November, Rosses Island just out of South Dildo, NL.

"Looks Lichen"

Lichen covers alot of the rocks on Dildo Island and Rosses Island.

"Sacred Ground"

There were gulls on Rosses Island that appeared to be nestling into the thick clumps of grass on the hill sides. On closer observation it was obvious they were dead. I didn't disturb any but was curious as to why so many were lodged on the small hill sides in various stages of decay. Sacred or hallowed ground for gulls perhaps.

"Rosses Island"

A habitat for seabirds no doubt, but on this day it was barren of sealife or landlife for that matter. These humps are all over the island an I am thinking they are nests of some sort. On the beach of this island are hundreds of bird bones and gull carcases in various stages of decomposition. It felt as if birds, particularly gulls come here to spend there last days.

"Because We Can"

An aspect quite unique to kayaking is the ability to go where very few tread. As it is not many who will ever see the underside of wharfs nor many perhaps who would want to but it is a perspective well worth a try.

"Low Tide"

Low Tide can be quite colorful in any weather and it is an oppurtunity to see things hidden by the higher waters such as this seaweed whose tips are just exposed above low water. Souh Dildo. Nov.16th, 2007.

"Beached Wreck"

I don't know the name of this wreck in South Dildo but it is an all wooden structure. All that is remaining is the bow post in the foreground and the ribs of its' hull behind. Could perhaps have been an old fishing schooner and no one was around to ask.

"Dismantling Fall"

Unto winter we will soon be delivered and shades of yester-autumn are soon past. The mariad of colors soon douced in blankets of white and scents of decay smothered for spring.

"Tail Of Noel"

As Hurricane Noel brushed by St. John's Newfoundland, we were spared much of its' devastation. It was a bit anticlimatic as I searched Cape Spear for monstrous waves and wicked waters. The waters were wicked but definitely saw worse out there without hurricane weather. Just the tail we got I figure. So... I added a bit of artistry to the scene to satisfy my hunt.

"Fort Amherst: Dawn"

I love lighthouses and Fort Amherst is a favourite. She so majestically gaurds the harbour of St. John's, Newfoundland.

"Cabot Tower"

A vigil of years past.

"Fall In Fort Amherst"

I guess I have Fort Amherst in all seasons so here is the "Photo Icon" in fall. A photographers' easel is Fort Amherst.

"Hang Mans Hill"

If I was being hung this morning on this hill this is what I may have saw looking over Signal Hill towards Cape Spear. Gibbetts Hill or Hang Man's Hill was in use during the 1750's for hanging criminals of the day. They would tar and shackle them and leave their carcus to rot for weeks. In the hope of discouraging others from breaking the law. A practise discontinued in the 1800's. Apparantly only two such persons met their fate in this manner and it is said that they were rolled down the hill, when finally let down from their gallows, to the pond that sits below. The gulls in the distance reminded me of Vultures lurking for their share. October 28th, 2007. Don't mess with Danny! .........Steve.

"Lone Prairie"

I stopped here driving thru in 2005.

"Baddeck NS"

The Baddeck Lakes are a quite an attraction in Nova Scotia. Quaint shops and pretty good food.

"Pond Side"

On A Saturday afternoon hike. Oct.27th,2007.