Prepare for the Coming Season

This chipmunk lives in our rock walls, one of many small animals who cohabit this property.  

As we prepare for winter, bring in outdoor furniture, wrap fragile shrubs, trim branches, mulch leaves, we let the chipmunks and squirrels harvest anything they want and need from our yard. They've cleaned off the grapes and are gathering rowan berries, stag-horn sumac cones, acorns, evergreen cones, and barberry bush fruits.

This little fellow's pouches are swollen with loot, to stock his larder for the long cold months ahead. Good for him!

Be Still: Contemplative Photography

Henry Miller said, "The moment one gives close attention to anything, even a blade of grass, it becomes a mysterious, awesome, indescribably significant world in itself."

Giving close attention, seeing beyond seeing, and walking while waiting for nature to reveal itself...these were exploration topics at last weekend's photography workshop offered at the Tatamagouche Centre in Nova Scotia.  

We spent enjoyable time learning that throwing away photos, with which we weren't quite happy was a form of "labeling" and doesn't respect our own abilities.  We found that dawn's rain and afternoon's drizzle offer up many lush photos, that Tatamagouche has a view of the bay, huge old maples, a river, rock walls, walking paths, stands of old pines and open fields, each an opportunity to be amazed, to make photographs and to learn about cropping, colour pushing, fill light, balance, rules to be followed and rules to be broken.

We were awed.  We marveled.  We saw the world with fresh eyes. 

We had fun, ate good home cooked meals, worked hard, then played and went to bed tired and happy.

Who could ask for anything different?

Words in colour will take you to another site with additional information, if you click on them.  Photos and words are copyright Carol Steel 2009-2014.

Fall Oranges 2014

Fall paints my yard orange.  Not everywhere, not everything, but enough to raise my spirits.  The colour radiates vibrant energy, makes me smile.

Autumn Reds 2014

Some falls there is an abundance of yellow, brown and orange but reds are rare.  This year the leaves are brilliant as usual and reds are everywhere. 

Purple Finches at the Feeder

Their muted rose and tan match the colours of sedums and hydrangeas in the garden, and the weigela leaves turning toward autumn.  I'm stuck inside nursing a head cold, but still thrilled to be able to sit and watch the colours changing through watery eyes, between sneezes ... a Monet-like blur.

Harvey Bank Heritage Shipyard Park, New Brunswick

 

 

With relatives visiting from England, we toured the area around Harvey Bank, Albert County, New Brunswick. 

The Anderson Hollow Lighthouse (EST. 1889) with its wooden salt-shaker tower is an historic landmark.  Originally located on the Waterside Wharf, it has been re-located several times.  Currently, it sits at Shipyard Park, Harvey Bank.

 

Shipyard Park was built in 2006 as a monument to this area's ship building past from the 19th century.  The "Revolving Light" is a nearly full scale replica. (Click on the ship's name to read an informative article about its history, written by well-known author Deborah Carr.) 

In photos, you see Gary, his brother Ron and sister-in-law Margaret.  For information on how the replica was created, click on this link to Stone Metalworks.

 

 

We were fortunate to have had perfect autumn weather for our jaunt out to the wetlands in Shepody, and then around to the wind-blown look-off at Cape Enrage. 

We hope our relatives enjoyed the area, as much as we always do.  Perhaps, it will bring Ron and Margaret back again.

Words in colour will take you to another website with additional information, if you click on them.

Oak and Maple Leaves

 

The sugar maple in our side yard.

 

 

Oak leaves from Taylor's Lane in Hillsborough, NB

Yellows and Browns of Autumn

 

 

 

 

 

The softer yellows and browns

are just as lovely as the vibrant reds of autumn.

The Reds of Autumn

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Autumn Reds

Trees Changing in Albert County NB

 

 

 

 

 

The season of colour and hue,

subtle and not-so-subtle changes.

 

Autumn in New Brunswick

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Protected area for waterfowl

in Hillsborough, New Brunswick,

on the "Lake Road"

For Melissa

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For Melissa, because you always miss being home in autumn, here are coloured leaves just for you.  Love, Mum

Happy Thanksgiving 2013

 

 

As I write, the fragrance of baking apple pies fills our house; we are preparing for Thanksgiving dinner with family tomorrow afternoon.  Well, with some of the family.  Two dozen will be here and fourteen cannot come or have celebrations in other homes; homes like ours, filled with the smells of turkey, ham and the vegetables of autumn.

Today, I am grateful for family.  And grateful to be well enough to host a family dinner again, with lots of help from Gary, Kyla and Mark.  To family who are coming to be with us, we'll be so glad to see you.  To family who can't join us, you will be missed.  All of us send love to wrap you in a warm hug and the message that you are part of us and we will always be here for you.

We are family.  Happy Thanksgiving to you.

Autumn Colours in Albert County NB