Living in rural Nova Scotia gives one plenty of opportunities to take photos of birds and wildlife, not to mention the scenic surroundings and vistas. This is a sampling of some of the types of photography that have piqued my interest, and caused me to upgrade to some very fine camera gear! BTW, I shoot Canon.
This red fox was digging around chasing mice, I think, and he looked up when I called to him.
One of the more challenging subjects to photograph is the hummingbird. They charge around very quickly making focus very difficult. Here's one flitting around a neighbour's scarlett runner bean blossoms.
Late in the fall of 2010, several Atlantic White-Sided Dolphins started hanging around the harbour near Pugwash. They were very entertaining to watch as they fed on the schools of smelt.
I've always liked a good sunset. Well, who doesn't? And even better, if one gets up early enough, is the spectacular sunrise. This is a fall sunrise over the Wallace River.
Ah, what the heck, here's another spectacular sunrise!
Many years ago, Evening Grosbeaks used to be very common in Nova Scotia. Their numbers dwindled over a long period of time, but it appears that they have recovered nicely. This is a male Evening Grosbeak in a very proud pose taken in the spring of 2010.
One of the more scenic churches in the area is St. Johns United Church in the Village of Wallace. The light was just right this day and it caught the church, its bright red roof, and the surroundings beautifully.
This squirrel looked happy to me, although the shot was taken on a cold day. I think he tried to claim this perch as his own from all the birds that enjoy sitting there.
I have named my property "Eagles Landing", as there are a couple of local families of Bald Eagles on the Wallace River. They often sit in the tall pine trees on the edge of my property and search for food. I'm sure sometimes they just sit with absolutely no purpose!
Another fun bird to watch is the Downy Woodpecker, and his larger cousin the Hairy Woodpecker. This Downy seemed to enjoy having his photo taken this past winter.
Here's a couple of shots of one of my favourite birds, the little Common Redpoll. They just seem to brighten up the yard when they show up!
Great Blue Herons show up in this area in late summer, and seem to let you get "just" so close before they take off. As a result, many of my pictures are of them taking off!
Cape John is a spit of land that juts out into the Northumberland Strait a few kilometres west of my home. It's a very pretty spot to visit.
I took this photo on the same trip to Cape John in the summer of 2010. I couldn't resist the scene of the heron flying off into the golden sunset.
This image is available on a 16"x20" canvas for just $70.00
Another of my favourite little birds is the Purple Finch. They have less brown on their sides than their relatives the House Finch. This is a male - the females are many shades of brown and beige.
A very pretty bird, in my mind, is the Blue Jay. As raucous and nervy as they are, they take a beautiful picture.
One day recently I was walking along my dirt road, camera in hand (of course), but it wasn't turned on. All of a sudden a large dark shape fluttered into action from a tree right beside the road, and then he started soaring above me! This is the Juvenile Bald Eagle that I was fortunate enough to get my camera turned on, pointed and focused in time to get his picture!
And finally, one of my favourite subjects - lighthouses! The Wallace Lighthouse, also known as the MacFarlane Point Lighthouse, is still operational (automated) and is 30 feet high. It was built in 1904. The building was constructed under contract by Mr. John D. Reid of the Head of Wallace Bay. The first lighthouse keeper was George Boyle in 1905, whose salary was $150 a year.
This image is available on canvas on a 30" high x 20" wide stretched frame for just $85.00 and it looks spectacular.
Last in this series is the newly-constructed mainland lighthouse that was built by the folks at Masstown Market. It's intended to be a tourist destination, as well as a seafood store and restaurant, complete with wharf and lobster boat! This "lighthouse" is nowhere near any body of water, but its contruction makes it look so genuine and original!
