Big Tancook Island, Nova Scotia...more

We had frequent visitors at the cottage we rented 

on Big Tancook Island.

The neighbour's cat...

the neighbour's hens...

each wandered through exploring

and ignoring us.

This is the view from the cottage 

on Southeast Cove, Big Tancook Island.

The first piece of land, the darkest to the left is

the other curve of Southeast Cove.

Behind that is the tip of Little Tancook Island, 

and behind that again

is Blandford on the mainland.

On clear nights, 

we could see the light at Peggy's Cove

sweeping the sea.

This is the evening sky 

on our last day at the cottage.

There the night sky was free 

from light pollution so the stars

were visible, incredible,

overwhelming. 

There was so much more to do and see

than we had time to explore,

both on the island and in the Chester area.

  

We'll have to return.

I'm hoping 

soon.

Words in coloured text will take you to another site 

with additional information, if you click on them.

I've written so much lately about the cottage and the Tancooks 

that people have asked if I was advertising for them.  The answer is no.

I've received nothing for the writing.

I enjoyed the island so much, it is difficult to stop talking about it.

Go, see for yourself.

Wordless Wednesday Darnley PEI

 

 

 

 

 

Wordless Wednesday

 

Three sunsets from Darnley,

Prince Edward Island

Clouds of Evening

 

 

 

 

Cat and Crow Have a Quarrel

 Cat and Crow Have a Quarrel

Upstairs, my cat sits in this open window and watches, sniffing smells carried on the winds of sunset.  Without warning, black feathers flash filling the frame, as old crow lands on the nearest branch of the maple that shelters our home.  What a rumpus.  Their arguments grate, their words need oiling; each one huffed up and cursing the other.  Fearing the screen may not hold, I clap my hands to distract them.  They yield, and old crow flies off into the twilight.  The cat sulks and stares, searching for feathers.  All I can hear now is my heart drumming the beats of this battle.  Evening closes its shadows over their squabble and the air grows still, as if nothing had happened.  Then the cat’s head jerks to the left; something is stirring the darkness.

Words and photo are ©copyright 2011-2013 Carol Steel.

Attention to Sunsets

Attention to Sunsets

We were away from home last weekend.  Each evening we sat, paid attention to the setting sun, watched the colours change, the shadows grow and felt the chill of twilight.

Trees became silhouettes as sunlight splashed gold on cloud bellies.  We saw pink and grey become orange and slate at dusk.

We watched the setting sun reflected on waters in bays and rivers.  We watched the sun, a molten disc, dip sizzling into the ocean.

This photo belongs to K and L Banks

We sat in the darkness as it closed around us and watched the full moon rise and the stars twinkle on.  Here and here and then another, and then more.

We were away from home last weekend and each nightfall was a spectacle.  Vibrant, peaceful, lovely.

Each evening was a gift.

Photos and words are copyright Carol Steel, unless otherwise noted.

Moments of Miracle

The only way to live

is to accept each minute

as an unrepeatable

miracle.

The words are a quote from Margaret Storm Jameson. 

If you click on her name, you will go

to another website with additional information.

The photos are mine; all from 

the southeastern New Brunswick area.

Prospect Bay, Nova Scotia

On Saturday, we explored Route 333 in Nova Scotia, turning off on the Prospect Bay Road, travelling all the way out to Indian Point Road.  We ended up in a quaint collection of homes set on the roughly-bouldered coastline of southern Nova Scotia.

We parked the car and walked carefully

through the swampy bits

and over huge boulders

to reach the water's edge.

It was approaching sunset and the wind was up

so we were cautious and stayed well back

from the water's edge, knowing that this particular coast

can be deadly as well as beautiful.

It is wise to treat the Atlantic Coast with respect,

as many have been sucked off the rocks

by a rogue wave, and not all have returned.

For us, on Saturday, it was a windy walk to

a wildly breath-taking coastline, and the

peach-pink glow of sunset for company

on our path home.

All photos are mine.  If you click on the words in red,

you will go to another website with additional information.

Sunset

Sunset

Once the fresh pale green leaves break open, it will be impossible to see the western horizon from our house. 

Right now, the trees are dark, bare and budding.    We live on a hillside and look to the west over rooftops, through a substantial network of exposed tree branches.

The spring sun has moved from its winter position in the skies.  It is now possible to enjoy sunsets--at least briefly, until the leaves cram in.

The setting sun is startling and splendid.  Disappearing with vivid colours into the dusk, it bursts out--just as it sinks below the horizon. 

Sundown outlines the stark branches against a kaleidoscope riot of color.

The soft ceilings of clouds reflect the last slanting rays of yellow-orange-pink-purple-gray.

Night falls, darkness fills, the evening cools.

These displays are nature’s vibrant short-lived gift, all the more special because this is the only time in the year when we can observe the sun setting, from our house.

Photos are mine.