Newfoundland
My wife and I spent five and a half weeks touring the island of Newfoundland with our little dog Juni during the summer of 2019. This was one of our favorite road trips and we look forward to returning again someday.
Tranquility
Freedom from disturbance, peace & quiet, solitude... Come, sit with me and enjoy this space. Let's talk, let's reflect while the warmth of the setting sun is touching the sides of our faces. This is the Port Riche Lighthouse located on the spit of land that is on the north side of the entrance to the Port au Choix Harbor. We stayed in this area for three nights and we watched the sun go down at this spot on each of those nights. As you tour Newfoundland you will find similar spots with the two familiar red chairs looking out over wondrous views. Places of "Tranquility".
Rose Blanche Lighthouse
Originally built in 1871 with granite from a local stone quarry. It was in operation from 1873 to the 1940's with a 4th order dioptric light that could be seen from a distance of 21 kms in clear weather. It fell into ruins after it was abandoned in the 1940's but was reconstructed in 1999 and now houses a 6th order Fresnel lens that is believed to be one of only 27 in existence today. Needless to say I took many photographs of this lighthouse. You must add this to your list of places to see in Newfoundland.
The Granite Gem
The Rose Blanche Lighthouse up close.
The Light
Of the Rose Blanche Lighthouse.
Rose Blanche Harbor
We found this lovely scene during our first day of touring Newfoundland. I fell in love with the scenery and realized that we were in for a treat as we still had over five weeks of touring ahead of us.
The Clothesline
Located in the little town of Harbor Le Cou, this "Clothesline" caught my eye. The Amish use this technique in Pennsylvania and we found that many Newfoundlanders use the same method to dry their clothing. With the help of a couple pulleys they are able to load and retrieve all of their laundry from one spot. Some even building little step out additions to their decks for their laundry hanging chores.
Tea Time
I took this photograph from the inside of the Rose Blanche Lighthouse. The table was set for two and, although it looks inviting, it was just a display to give an example of how the light-keeper lived. This is a granite lighthouse that was built in 1871 with stone from a nearby quarry. I'll be posting some photographs of the lighthouse soon.
Freedom
To me this scene speaks so much of Newfoundland. It's in disrepair but that's what makes it so beautiful. It's a little jagged yet it's soft & gentle. Most of all, it's very welcoming. We loved our trip with the people we met, the foods we ate, the lighthouses and the rugged shoreline, the puffins, the moose & the caribou and so, so much more. It’s a long way from home but I strongly recommend that you add it to your list of places to visit. You’ll be glad you did.
Life on The Rock
Many a Newfoundlander call their island "The Rock". This photograph which overlooks the harbor area of Rose Blanche-Harbour le Cou is a good example of why. You don't see much farmland due to the lack of open field areas though many have their own summer gardens.
Lobster Cove Head Lighthouse
I took this photograph as we were touring the Rocky Harbor area of Newfoundland. This lighthouse overlooks both Rocky Harbor and Lobster Cove.
Another View
Of Lobster Cove Head Lighthouse in Rocky Harbor, Newfoundland.
Cape Spear Lighthouse
The original structure was first put into operation in 1836 and was the second lighthouse in Newfoundland. It is located at the most easterly point in North America. We visited it on August 8th of this year and there were a multitude of others touring as well so it was difficult to capture my images without people in the frame.
Cape Spear's New Lighthouse
This "New" lighthouse was built at Cape Spear in 1955. Y
Long Point Lighthouse
This is an active lighthouse located outside Crow Head on North Twillingate Island, Newfoundland. The lighthouse began operation in 1876 and It attracts thousands of tourists each year yet my goal was to photograph it without any people in the frame. My patience paid off.
The Complexities of a Simple Life
While we were touring Newfoundland we came across the small town of Salvage. With a population of only 124 it represents so much of what we saw on the island. I took this photograph from a high elevation and I could single out these two homes that sit on a peninsula that wraps around the harbor area. If you look close you will see that there is no actual road access to their property yet they have their own small graveyard on their plot of land. Their access would be by boat during the warm season and by traversing across the frozen sea in the winter months. The people of Newfoundland are really special and they take much pride in their lifestyle.
The Steps of Terra Nova
This was taken during one of our daily hikes. The little piece of stairway caught my eye as we hiked toward it.
The Fence
This is another scene where I concentrated on that fence that caught my eye as we were touring the Cape Bonavista Lighthouse property.
Murals of Botwood
Botwood is a small town that is noted for its numerous murals depicting past life scenes. It sits along the Bay of Exploits in north-central Newfoundland. We toured Botwood on July 28th, 2019 and we were touched by the quality of the art and by the stories each piece told. This particular piece is about 500 feet long and 30 feet high and it tells many stories. It is painted on a corrugated siding that adds to the level of difficulty in painting but also a wonderful texture to the finished piece.
Little Boy
Murals of Botwood. This is a portion of the main mural.
Saying Goodbye
Murals of Botwood. Another portion of the main muralBoats
So much of the life of the Newfoundlander has to do with their boats. Many spend countless hours of their lives fishing the local waters during all types of weather. As you travel the island you will find many small and large harbours with various size boats. Some with small boats that ride on the stern of a larger boat. Each with their own task that support the watermen's needs. I'm so attracted to these scenes and I spent much of my time trying to capture them with the feeling they deserve.
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I came across this scene as we were traveling along the west coast of Newfoundland. The body of water in the background is the Bay of St. Lawrence. There are so many similar scenes all around the island and they continued to attract my attention as we were touring.
94146 of Port au Choix
Taken on a foggy August morning. These scenes have a way of attracting my attention. They are slowly slipping away but they are still numerous in Newfoundland.
501447 - Workboat of Twillingate Harbor
I took this photograph during the early evening hours on July 29th. I spent about an hour walking around this active harbor with Juni tied to my side. She helps me find the best subjects.
A Little Workhorse
Sitting among the big boys. I took this photograph on a foggy morning in the downtown harbor area of Port au Choix, Newfoundland. In the background are the large fishing and shrimp boats. My focus was this little workhorse and the way in which it was tied to the dock. The lifeblood of Newfoundland is their fishing industry and, while there, we ate fresh fish six days a week.
Back Harbor
North Twillingate. This old boat is now part of the landscape.
Big Blue Little Blue
I took this photograph on Aug, 20th, 2019 at the Port au Choix harbor/boat repair.
Booms-Up on the Jenny Dion
Another scene from my morning at the Port au Choix harbor. The foggy morning gave me the feeling that I had to process these in black & white.
Canadian Red, White & Blue
Port Saunders, Newfoundland.
The Piggyback Twins
This photograph was also taken during my foggy morning walk around the Port au Choix Harbor in August of this year. These small boats that are riding on the stern of the large fishing boats are used to drag the nets around the schools of fish. I was told that the large boat goes out at night and once in their preferred spot, will shine a bright light into the water. This light attracts the fish and then the smaller, netting boats begin their work.
Dry Dock
Taken in Port au Choix, Newfoundland. There are so many of these little coves around the perimeter of Newfoundland and we did our best to hit as many of them as time permitted. We actually stayed in Port au Choix for three nights so I got to see this scene numerous times.
M.V. Maci
This is another photograph of this boat sitting on the shore at Port au Choix in Newfoundland. I just loved how it was sitting there, in disrepair, like it's waiting for even on more day on the water. I took about 30 photographs of this boat from all different angles.
Miss Sherry of the Quidi Vidi Village
There is a lovely little harbor located just outside of St. John's called Quidi Vidi Harbor. We were quite pleased when we were driving around came upon this lovely little place. This is also the home of the Quidi Vidi Brewery and they have some marvelous beers.
Ocean Supreme
Port au Choix, Newfoundland.
Port au Choix Harbor
This is another take on the harbor area on a foggy morning. Take notice to the little "Piggyback" boat that is on the stern of the boat on the right hand side of the frame. This is a netting vessel and the little boat is deployed to drag the net around the school of fish so they can be hauled in for capture.
Port au Choix Harbor II
I took this photograph on a foggy morning in Port au Choix, Newfoundland. I spent numerous hours in the harbor areas of each of the towns we visited along the way. I'm attracted to the old work boats and they are especially attractive on a foggy day.
Shoal Tickle
This is a scene taken from the shoreline of Twillingate looking over the canal toward North Twillingate. The canal is named "Shoal Tickle". I caught it as the sun was lowering in the sky and the day was coming to an end. The small motor boats were all tied and waiting for their busy day ahead.
North Twillingate Harbor
Taken on July 29th, 2019 as the sun was low on the horizon.
The Faded Colors of Port au Choix
Another photograph taken in the harbor area of Port au Choix, Newfoundland. The bright colors of the past are fading away.
Harbor Activity
The harbor of St. John's, Newfoundland is a hustle of activity. It is a strategic hub and diverse service centre for Newfoundland and Labrador. There were numerous ships unloading, loading, coming and going on each of our seven days in the city. The port adds such a wonderful feeling to the city and it is in the center of the historic district. I was told that it is this busy year round and that they continue to break up the ice all winter long to allow for continued ship traffic.
The Colorful Seaport
St. John's Newfoundland.The Atlantic Puffin
When laying out this "Newfoundland" page, I decided to save the best for last. In planning our trip we wanted to make sure that we got to see the Puffins. We had been in the Maritimes of Canada two other times but those trips were after these comical little birds had headed back out to sea for the winter. In my research I found information on Bird Island in Elliston. This is a place where, if you are quite, they will come and hang around you. The day we were there we had about 30-40 of these birds within 20 feet of where we were sitting. I took well over a thousand photographs. Here are my favorites.
Flower Delivery
This is another puffin from Elliston. It looks to me like it's saying "I just want to deliver these flowers but I can't find the address". I'm not sure if it's the same bird as the previous image because there were 30-40 or so running all over the place.
Looking for Love
Just after I took this photograph, this puffin found what it was looking for. See the next image for the answer.
Love is in the Air
Even more of the Puffins of Newfoundland.
Hey, Look at Me
So proud of his flower. It looks like he's saying "Hey, look at me". Puffin of Bird Island, Elliston, Newfoundland.
What a Pair
The Atlantic Puffin.
Puffin & Flower
Another one of my favorites of all the puffin photographs that I took in Newfoundland.
Puffin & Stone
This is yet another of the Atlantic Puffin from our trip to Newfoundland.
Paying Attention
Is this an argument? Is this a speech? Is this a Puffin Politician drumming up votes? Who Knows? What you can see however, it they are all "Paying Attention".
Enough Already!
This is just how you feel when you've heard too much. I was going to call this Sweet Nothings but it looks more like the Puffin on the left is yelling into the others ear not whispering. Oh these little birds were so much fun.
Incoming on Bird Island
More of those comical little Puffin on Bird Island in Elliston, Newfoundland.