Reflections and Shadows

Photography is a fascinating hobby and a great reason to go outside and have fun. For the past three weeks I have been participating in a fun e-course called the Sensational Snap Society Course. Each week Shelagh, our teacher, presents a new challenge designed to encourage us to see the world through different eyes. This week's challenge is to look for the hidden shadows and reflections around us. I thought you might be interested in some of the reflections I found in the various bodies of water that exist in mother nature's playground in this area.

Rain created an interesting effect on the reflection of this tree in the river.

Signs of spring: a reflection of a budding branch and rocks at the river's edge.

Electric wires and pole in a puddle.

Shadows and reflections on the ocean floor.

It was raining the day I took these photos so not too many shadows were to be found. It is beautiful & sunny today so I am off on a shadow search.

Rum Spill in Ingramport

Today, during our morning walk along the trail, Mary and I noticed the side of a box car lying in the moss over the embankment. It looked like it had been there a long time, especially since they stopped running trains out here 20 or 30 years ago.

 
Then Mary remembered, back in the 1970s there was a train derailment and one of the cars that derailed was carrying liquor to Nova Scotia Liquor Commission stores along the route.

Needless to say, word of the derailment spread quickly and local people came out in droves to collect the spoils. Many returned their finds to the local authorities but many did not. Most of the rum went missing. Nova Scotians love their rum - sailors love to kick back with a Dark and Stormy (rum and ginger beer) and we all love a rum and coke, or, on a special occasion, a Cuba Libre (add a lime wedge to your rum and coke).  Apparently there were lots of great kitchen parties in this area after the wreck :).

We walked a long way this morning (about 8.5 kms we think).

The road home looked very long.

But we are still here to talk about it. Our goal is to do an 18 km walk on June 18 to raise money for the Parish of French Village, the local Anglican parish. So we still ave a way to go.

Easter Egg Hunt

One of the Easter highlights at our house is the arrival of the Easter Bunny and the ensuing Easter egg hunt:

 He is a little large

 But the smallest amongst us watch from a distance so as not to scare him.

 Then it is time to find and share the Easter eggs

 And take the time to savour them - one at a time

Signs of Spring

One of the great things about the snow-free winter we had is that the trails are already dry enough to walk on. This morning Mary and I went for a dawdly (is that a word?) walk along the St Margaret's Bay trail searching out signs of spring. I took lots of pictures, some came out well, some did not. That's why I am joining Shelagh Duffett's Sensational Snap Society. :) The course starts today, actually.

Alder beards and buds.
Hubby, Arch is patiently waiting for the alder leaves to appear.
When they get as large as a mouse's ear it is time to go trout fishing.
Fishing season opened yesterday.

 The maples are getting ready to bud

The crocus are peeking from the ground.

 The lupins are not far behind

 Roaring brooks are carrying spring snow melt down to the sea.

I love early spring. It is such a positive and hopeful time of year.