The Daily Post challenge for photographers this week is to show three similar images. I came up with two versions from winter and summer here on Perry’s Point.
Ice Storm Aftermath
“Glass” on Grass Glitter-Coated Branches Crunchy Tufts of Grass
Seashells on Rocks
Now that March is marching toward us, this photographer is growing a smidge weary of the snow and ice. Thoughts swing to the anticipation of warm weather and the new life that Spring unfurls. I remember this colony of mollusks, better known as seashells, from last summer.
Shelled mollusks are not the only things living on these rocks. Colonies oftiny, white rock barnacles are everywhere. Barnacles are arthropods, related to crab and lobster.
Shells and BarnaclesYellow Algae Grows Here Too
I’m ready to trade the ice for seashells. Are you?
Well, what a week it has been around these parts! Old Man Winter in Newfoundland, as it has been for much of the continent caught in the “Polar Vortex,” is baring his teeth and delivering a wallop to most areas, a wallop stronger than any in recent memory. It has made some of us wish we could hibernate until spring, and others long to escape down south for an extended vacation or even retirement.
But the weather has also made some people shine. Like the old expression about when the going gets tough, that is just what was needed when our version of a “perfect storm” arrived: record low frigid temperatures, record amounts of early snowfall, and lengthy bone-chilling blackouts, the like which has not been experienced since 1994. Add a blizzard and our inadequate power infrastructure for our needs today, and you’ve got real trouble.
photo credit: Newfoundland page, Facebook
Sometimes it takes a situation, (or a “crisis,” if I may, Premier Dunderdale) to see who the heroes are, to see who is willing to stop complaining, roll up their sleeves and help wherever help is needed. No matter where any blame lies that contributed to the power problem, I’m the sort of person who prefers to look at the positive side of things whenever possible. I have heard stories of gratitude for those who shovelled, plowed, or dug people out of their homes. I have seen good folks answer the call when warm food and shelter were needed, and still others with wood stoves and propane fireplaces open their homes and offer comfort. Of course, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the Newfoundland Power maintenance workers and crews, the snow plow operators, and everyone who worked and is still working tirelessly to return everything back to some semblance of normal.
photo credit: Newfoundland page, Facebook
But it is the personal stories that warm me more than any wood stove can. Like the couple who went ahead with their wedding Saturday night in spite of the blackout and the freezing temperatures (link below). No, perhaps it was far from ideal, but they have quite a story to tell their children and grandchildren one day.
Even my daughter and son-in-law were up to the challenge this weekend, when they decided not to postpone our granddaughter’s sleepover birthday party at home, but went ahead with the event in the dark. Son-in-law even barbecued hot dogs outside in the freezing cold for them. And the party was a success! These are the things lasting memories are made of.
So whether this makes you think Newfoundlanders are hardy, or just plain foolhardy, that is entirely beside the point. All I know is the warmth of the human spirit is alive and well in our little corner of the continent.
Do you have any storm or power outage stories to share? How about one with an unexpected positive spin?
Is there anything that captures the carefree magic of summer more than spending warm days playing at the beach? When the kids came to visit this week, they happily took advantage of the many delights the seaside has to offer.
Our little girl makes a new friend 🙂
Building sand castles, catching hermit crabs in their little shells – and releasing them again – jumping over frothy waves and off of sand dunes, letting their dog run free, all this and more made for a memorable summer holiday.
Jump!Nico loves his newfound freedomOne, two, three, go!My beautiful girl
Nico probably had the best vacation a dog ever had. The freedom to explore the coastline, running after beach birds that couldn’t be caught, he was a joy to watch as he galloped across the sand in wide circles around us.
Playing fetch!
Our little girl played with her new friend from Ontario every chance she got, as if they had always known each other. When the time came to say goodbye, she cried, but they exchanged addresses and made plans to become pen pals until they could see each other again. 🙂
The day they left, our little boy said he wished he lived here because he didn’t have a “backyard beach” at home.
Come back for more fun any time you want, precious children.
After two busy weeks in our fair capital city of St. John’s, my husband and I are once again happy to be back in our house on the Point. Make no mistake, though, I always enjoy our extended summer jaunt revisiting my birthplace, even though husband has to bring some work with him. Time spent with the kids and grandkids is always a great thing, as were the walks around Mundy Pond and Quidi Vidi Lake, not to mention the dining out, the shopping, and celebrating husband’s birthday. We even managed to take a couple of side trips to Grates Cove and Portugal Cove while we were there.
the drive up the HillCabot Tower
My trip would not have been complete, however, if I had not taken a spin up to Signal Hill.
Is it any wonder one of my favourite spots has a spectacular view of the ocean? I know, I know. I live by the sea. You’d think I would have had my fill of huge bodies of water by now. But no, when the yearning for the sea beckons, I must respond.
sunny and warm on Saturdaypartial view of the walking trail
husband enjoying the scenery
Fort Amherstboat entering the Narrowsview of Cape Spear in the distanceDeadman’s Pond – urban legend would have you believe it is bottomlesscannons guarding the Harbour Narrowsthe warmest visit I can ever remember on Signal Hill
I expect to be extremely busy over the coming weeks, finishing the first draft of my novel (but I will be checking in here too!). I’m hoping to have it completed by the time my daughter and her family come to visit in the latter part of August. Wish me luck!
My husband and I are enjoying our second week away from home, spending most of our time in my birthplace, St. John’s, the capital city of Newfoundland. This past weekend, however, we took a short trip to Grates Cove.
Entering Grates Cove – jenniferkellandperry.comView from the walking trail running along the cliffs and barrens – jenniferkellandperry.com
This little community is the most northerly one on the Avalon Peninsula, and is my mother’s hometown.
Mom as a schoolgirlMom, out and about 😉
My father’s maternal roots are also here, so most of my relatives originated in Grates Cove. Some of them still live here, and others have summer homes.
Grates Cove is actually a National Historic site, recognized for its acres of rock walls.
From the last of the 1700’s to the early 1900’s, local residents used the rocks to define spaces within their environment. The rocks were thrown, stacked and piled into more than 160 acres of land to set aside fields, create gardens, store vegetables, protect livestock and to use as cemeteries. (source: beyondbaccalieu.com)
beyondbaccalieu.combeyondbaccalieu.comBeautiful day on Saturday – jenniferkellandperry.com
Like many of the coastal communities in our province, Grates Cove was a desirable place because of its prolific fishing grounds. First settled in 1790, its population has shrunk over the years, but it still supports the livelihood of a number of local fisher-persons, and is a popular tourist destination.
Many of these tourists have loved the place so much, they bought property of their own and put down roots. It has been reported that Grates Cove has the highest per capita in all of Newfoundland of “Mainlanders” buying up houses to live.
If you are ever in the area and get a chance to visit this picturesque little fishing village, I am sure you will understand why the “come-from-aways” fell in love with it and made up their minds to stay.
jenniferkellandperry.com
Have you ever visited tiny, out-of-the-way communities like Grates Cove? Are any of your relatives still living in places such as these?
Disclaimer: No wildlife was harmed during the creation of this photo shoot.
My son came for a visit here in Newtown this past week. On one of the days, I went along to take pics of him and my husband playing beach golf. This beautiful sandy beach is only a few hundred yards from our house. The weather was cool and windy, but I liked the way the photos turned out.
This is the sandbar they were aiming for.Watching the big boys playI love the sand ripples
“Who’s your step-daddy?” 🙂
Another good one!
Our neighbour, Ben drops by to watch.
“Is anyone here a marine biologist?” (just kidding 😉 )Time to collect the balls…Balls that didn’t hit the sandbar are easily found because the water is shallow (and surprisingly warm!).I love the action and the waves in this one.
When you get a beautiful sunny day around here in the middle of February, it’s almost impossible to resist the urge to get outside and enjoy it. And especially so, when the forecast is telling you that it is the calm before yet another winter storm.
Yes, the winds are going to whip up again tonight, and we’ll have to be content with more cocooning. But yesterday my husband and I enjoyed a walk on the branch road, on perhaps the most brilliant winter day we’ve had this year.
Here is a sampling of some photos from our walk.
View from our back deckLots of ice in the TickleView of Perry’s Point from the branch roadThat’s our house (light one with the matching shed)
His nibs (just kidding 😉 )MoiSome of the sparse evergreens in our immediate area
Another little “droke”Back on the Point
Plenty of “batty catters” (Newfoundland term for ice and snow formed on shoreline rocks)l love the calm of the blue sky and ocean
I was a little disappointed this morning when I learned our area wouldn’t be getting the big dumping of snow that St. John’s and the rest of the Avalon Peninsula has in their forecast. Everyone there is bracing for up to seventy centimeters of the white stuff, while we are only expecting five to ten.
Boo! 😦
But then along came a little visitor down by our beach.
I thought it was an adult harp seal first, because he appeared to be mostly black.
But as I inched closer…and he turned to see me…
I could see more spottiness and some “whitecoat” on his other side.
When I reassured him that I meant no harm, he seemed to squint his eyes…sort of like my cats do when I talk “love talk” to them. 🙂
Don’t worry, little seal.
You are so very close to my house.
I’m not fond of seal meat or flipper pie, so you have nothing to fear from me.
So even though I’m going to miss the big snowfall back home, I never could have gotten these pics back in my old backyard !
To see photos of the baby seal, or whitecoat, that visited us last winter, click here, and scroll down. 🙂
Jennifer's Journal 