“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 still glistens with dew.It’s shaping up to be another splendid September day.View of the islands from the back doorNeighbour Ben’s boatVivian joins me, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.
Maisie begs shamelessly for a belly rub.View from our deck of the outermost point of land on Perry’s PointWalking toward the brink. Around here they call it a “beel”, which I believe to be a slang version of “bill”, or small peninsula.This morning the bay is calm and serene.
The Inukshuk my husband made this summerThe “Rock Cove”, where rainwater collectsIt’s an ideal source of fresh drinking water for our feathered friends. We’ve seen a few indulge in bird baths here too.The partridgeberries are ripening, on schedule for picking next month.I don’t know what kind these are. Do you?
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 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…
…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.
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. 🙂
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?
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.
We can’t help but admire the work that went into the boardwalks.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?
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?
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.
