Nature – Page 16 – Jennifer's Journal

January Blue

Published on January 15, 2015January 28, 2021 by J. Kelland Perry55 Comments

It’s a blue winter day on Perry’s Point.

It isn’t a sad and lonely day, but one painted with the hues of a brilliant blue sky and a blanket of sunshine, the kind of day where the sun and snow merge to design graceful shadows in the hollows of the landscape.

Sun on the newly fallen and drifted snow creates a tapestry of shadowy forms,
from the palest baby blue to the deepest of indigo.

The slanting afternoon rays of sunlight hold little heat,
but warm the heart of this nature-lover nonetheless.

The surface of the snow waves and crests,
while most of the bay lies still under a layer of slush and ice.

Dunes of scalloped white surround me…

…and the only hint of sound is the faint exhale of a frigid breeze.

Certain feathered creatures have already been here.

At the end of the Point I reach the icy blue coastline…

…where the water is still full of movement in spite of the sub-zero air.

Cold, but fluid…

…clear and beautiful.

Other shadows dapple a weather-worn barn…

…and sun-bleached fences.

Hidden in shade, a bird house waits for spring, and a new tenant…

…while our neighbour’s fishing boat awaits a new summer.

Ben Perry’s shed is called a “store” around these parts.

Still more shadows hide in furrows of snow and last summer’s grasses. I wade in.

My toes are like ice cubes inside my boots at this point. I hop over the fence to home.

Time to put the kettle on…

…and thaw myself out with a cup of tea.

And my world changes from blue to green.

How is your January going? What is the colour of your winter?

Daily Post Weekly Photo Challenge: Shadowed

To Sea by Virtue

Published on November 26, 2014November 26, 2014 by J. Kelland Perry25 Comments

One sunny afternoon last month, we accompanied friends aboard the Virtue, their Beneteau 400 sailing vessel.
We were only too happy to share in the enjoyment of the October sea and sky.

024 — *Rowing in the little boat to the big boat*

“Throw off the bowlines. Sail away from safe harbor. Catch the wind in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain

“I never get tired of the blue sky.” – Vincent Van Gogh

“Roll on, deep and dark blue ocean, roll… Man marks the earth with ruin, but his control stops with the shore.” – Lord Byron

“Long may your big jib draw.” – legendary Newfoundland saying meaning good wishes for the future

“I wanted freedom, open air and adventure. I found it on the sea.” – Alaine Gerbault

“How inappropriate to call this planet Earth when it is quite clearly Ocean.”
– Arthur C. Clarke

“The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.”
– William Arthur Ward

“When you realize how perfect everything is you will tilt your head back and laugh at the sky.” – Buddha

“The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.” – Jacques Yves Cousteau

“I must go down to the sea again, to the lonely sea and sky; and all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by.” – John Masefield

Have you ever gone sailing on a beautiful day such as this?

My “Backyard” – Pt. 2: The Beach

Published on September 15, 2014September 15, 2014 by J. Kelland Perry37 Comments

As the last tranquil days of summer disappear, I am drawn to the warmth of the sandy beaches that encircle Perry’s Point.

For a few moments, I can almost forget colder days are approaching…

071 — **This stretch of sand is begging for bare feet.**

“To see a world in a grain of sand, and a heaven in a wild flower,
hold infinity in the palm of your hand, and eternity in an hour.”
~ William Blake

It’s good to see that the beach birds are still around.
The sandpipers and plovers seem to be in no hurry to wing their way south for the winter.

086 — **Among the strands and clumps of kelp, there must be lots of yummy tidbits for them to eat.**

087 — **Notice how some like to stand on one leg.**

092 — **The different species get along fairly well, sharing nature’s bounty.**

098 — **Due to global warming, many species of birds in North America are dwindling in numbers, and the numbers on protected and endangered lists are increasing.**

099 — **I hope you never face extinction, my precious feathered friends.**

101 — **This one appears to have something to say about it all.**

105 — **I love their plump little bodies…**

114 — **Vivian doesn’t go down to the beach unless she has company…**

115 — **…Good thing for the beach birds!**

“The love for all living creatures is the most noble attribute of man.” ~ Charles Darwin

Thank you for stopping by to enjoy the beach with me, and Summer’s last hurrah. 🙂

Has Fall arrived where you live?

My “Backyard” – Part 1

Published on September 8, 2014September 14, 2014 by J. Kelland Perry31 Comments

“If one really loves nature, one can find beauty everywhere.”
~ Vincent van Gogh

There is something about this time of year, before the advent of autumn, that I love about life on Perry’s Point.

Unconventional to say the least, my backyard here in Newfoundland has no fences, save for one side shared with our neighbour.

One day last week I got out early with my camera, hoping to capture the soft morning light.

The grass is still glistening with dew. — **The grass still glistens with dew.**

It's shaping up to be a splendid September day. — **It’s shaping up to be another splendid September day.**

View from the back door. — **View of the islands from the back door**

Vivian is bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. — **Vivian joins me, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.**

Maisie is looking for a belly rub. — **Maisie begs shamelessly for a belly rub.**

The outermost point of land on Perry's Point — **View from our deck of the outermost point of land on Perry’s Point**

**Walking toward the brink. Around here they call it a “beel”, which I believe to be a slang version of “bill”, or small peninsula.**

036 — **This morning the bay is calm and serene.**

The inukshuk my husband made this summer — **The Inukshuk my husband made this summer**

The "Rock Cove", where rainwater collects — **The “Rock Cove”, where rainwater collects**

An ideal source of drinking water for our feathered friends. We've seen a few indulge in birdbaths here too. — **It’s an ideal source of fresh drinking water for our feathered friends. We’ve seen a few indulge in bird baths here too.**

The patridgeberries are ripening, on schedule for picking next month. — **The partridgeberries are ripening, on schedule for picking next month.**

I don't know what kind these are. Do you? — **I don’t know what kind these are. Do you?**

Neighbour Ben's buoys and bobbers — **Neighbour Ben’s fishing buoys and bobbers**

“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.”
~ Albert Einstein

Join me next Monday for: My “Backyard”- Part 2: The Beach

Summer Lovin’

Published on July 29, 2014January 16, 2016 by J. Kelland Perry33 Comments

Summer in my province of Newfoundland and Labrador, compared to most of North America, is short but ever so sweet. What makes it so cherished, to my mind?

The following photos were all taken in Lead Cove, the little community where I raised my children.

I love my home for its natural beauty,
its refreshing, rugged and
unspoiled charm,
for its clear and wide blue skies
without a whisper of smog.

I love the clean, sparkling water
and the glistening rocks adorning the coastline
that beg to be traced
and trod upon by eager footsteps.

I love summer in Newfoundland
for its breathtaking views
of seascapes and landscapes
when I embark on a hike.

Whether I traverse
its beaches of sand or
climb its rocky windswept hills,
I know my camera will find its aim.

I embrace it because
the bushes and shrubs,
green and lush,
are heavy with fragrance
and of wild roses in bloom…

183

…while in the gardens,
the planted perennials are brilliant with colour,
delighted at last
to spread their bright petals to the sun.

I love the hardy trees of Newfoundland
in summer…

…as they stretch
their ripe foliage to the sky.

Shot through with rays of sunlight,
a shimmering haze settles over the treetops
like a warm summer veil.

After a long winter and dismal spring
of cold, naked branches,
they, as I do,
breathe a sigh of gratitude
at the return of this warm and golden season.

Are you filled with Summer Lovin’ where you live?

Weekend Family Fun

Published on July 22, 2014July 22, 2014 by J. Kelland Perry16 Comments

Last Friday, we took a trip to Lead Cove, the little outport community where my children grew up.

Time spent with fun-loving family…

…on a warm summer weekend, is high on my list of favourite things to do.

Around the bay, the pace slows down where time together is savoured and enjoyed.
(Our boy fell and skinned his knee after I took this one, but let’s not talk about that.)

Nico explores with Poppy, making the most of his freedom from the leash.

Our little girl spends a pensive moment beside the sea.

Nico joins her.

Perhaps they are watching the fishing boat near the horizon.

When we return to the summer-house, our chef checks on the roast he is smoking with maple chips.

Nico finds a shady spot.

Pulled pork sandwiches with all the fixin’s. Yum!

Everyone loves it. ❤

Nico is savouring every minute.

So nice to see the kids playing and spending quality time with their mom.

Later, we light a fire and serve up spider wieners.

Happy girl.

What fire would be complete without s’mores? My first one in decades. 🙂

A Lesson in Compassion

Published on June 21, 2014January 17, 2016 by J. Kelland Perry35 Comments

One of the most valuable lessons we can teach our children is kindness and compassion for all living things, no matter how big or small.

This topic is on my mind because I was disturbed to read this morning of yet another local case of animal cruelty. How does a person exist, and sleep at night, who can commit such cruel acts against an innocent and defenseless animal?

I find it difficult to believe a child raised to respect and empathise with the feelings of all creatures can grow up into someone who can treat an animal with cruelty. My dad, in particular, taught us how to care for all living things. We grew up with pets, as many do, but it was more than that. He taught by example. He not only loved that little spider that he picked up and brought outdoors, he wished it well.

I wish every small child could experience that kind of lesson.

Teaching a child not to step on a caterpillar is as valuable to the child as it is to the caterpillar. ~ Bradley Miller

Our task must be to widen our circle of compassion, to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty. ~ Albert Einstein

It is widely believed that empathy training for children can prevent violence, against animals and human beings. What are you doing to teach children compassion?

Greenspond – Part II

Published on May 20, 2014May 20, 2014 by J. Kelland Perry31 Comments

After completing the hiking trail on Saturday, my husband and I took a drive through scenic Greenspond.

It is an especially nice time to visit because of the pleasant weather. The little outport town sparkles like a jewel in the afternoon sun, the plaintive cries of seagulls the only sounds that break the silence.

The breeze has abated entirely, leaving the surface of the harbour basin as smooth as a mirror.

Pretty houses dot the land while oddly shaped chunks of iceberg dot the still blue water.

The peacefulness of the setting is magical, meditative, hypnotizing.
I am drawn to its perfect calm…
…and I drink in its beauty as I quietly reflect.

Troubles melt away…
…and make room for inspiration.
We stop to admire this gem of a property. Everything about it is impeccable, from the patchwork quilt on the clothesline…

…to the softly scalloped valances in each window.
To me, it is a work of art.

Have you ever visited a place that seemed the perfect setting for a story?
Where do you go to think and dream?

A Walking Trail, Bergy-Bits, and Other Pretty Things

Published on May 18, 2014May 18, 2014 by J. Kelland Perry31 Comments

Saturday was such a gorgeous day in our corner of the world, one had to get out and enjoy it. We decided to drive to Greenspond, a community comprised of several islands not far from where we live. Connected to the mainland of Newfoundland by a causeway, Greenspond boasts a wonderful walking trail around most of the perimeter of its largest island. It was perfect weather with light winds, so I took my camera.

**This is the view from Perry’s Point before we left. The icebergs dotting the horizon were too far away to get good shots.**

Once we got on the trail, it didn’t take long for us to discover our first “bergy bit” floating like an ice sculpture in a peaceful cove.
The walking trail winds through the rocky terrain, carrying us through the brush and bog.
The views of the coastline and of the Atlantic are spectacular.

191 — **We can’t help but admire the work that went into the boardwalks.**

194 — **Some were quite steep, making for a great workout.**

It seems the locals thought of everything. 😉
Almost halfway…

There seems to be a little berg in every bay.
Another “sculpture”…

…and another.

Time for refreshments.

The Greenspond Walking Trail is a collaboration between Man and Nature, resulting in what I consider a living work of art.
Come back and join me in a couple of days for Part Two of my Greenspond photo shoot. 🙂

To my Fellow Canadians: What did you do outdoors on this long Victoria Day weekend?

Keep Reading: Greenspond: Capital of the North

Iceberg Viewing in Newfoundland and Labrador

Spring!

Published on May 2, 2014January 17, 2016 by J. Kelland Perry9 Comments

Greetings, humans! Maisie here, covering for Jennifer this week while she is away. My sister Vivian was eager to take over again, but Shy Little Me thought I would venture a few steps out of my comfort zone and host the blog for a change.

My sister and I had grown oh-so-bored with staying inside.

After the long, cold and snowy winter we endured in Canada this year, we are welcoming any signs of Spring with gratitude and huge sighs, or in our case,
purrs of relief.

When Vivian and I lived in the city four years ago, we had to content ourselves with the sighting of a robin or two in our backyard to let us know Spring had finally arrived.

Where we live now, there are many, many more signs to watch for and welcome. Not only fat robins with their red breasts, but birds of all kinds grace us with their presence, usually in pairs as they get ready for mating season. And we eagerly await the arrival of the gannets in May, and arctic terns in June. There is something deeply comforting in seeing wildlife return, especially when you spy them huddled in twos, preening or foraging for food together here on Perry’s Point. The seagulls are here as always, dropping and breaking crabs and sea urchins open on the rocks. But now they are joined by a few saddleback gulls. Vivian even spotted a saucy mink the other day!