This was a wonderful trip to Cape Breton Island which is in the North Eastern corner of Nova Scotia. I was at times overwhelmed with the grandeur of the colors. The trip took place in the latter part of October 2022.
In order to get to the Island, I flew from San Diego to Vancouver, Canada, to Toronto, to Montreal, and finally landed in Sydney, Nova Scotia. It made for a full day/night of travel, and when I arrived my checked bag had not! It took another 40 hours to catch up with me at the Markland Lodge in Dingwall which was a two hour drive from the airport. Thankfully the delivery of the bag was take care of by AIR CANADA.
There were six of us traveling in two cars while on Cape Breton Island. Our leader was Mark Rasmussen of LIGHTCHASE PHOTOGRAPHY. He has been on the Island numerous times and got us to great locations for photography - sunrises, sunsets, fall color, etc. I have traveled with Mark yearly since my first trip to see the Polar Bears in Churchill, Canada, in 2008.
We had our own cabin/home with each of us having our own bedroom. The meals at the Lodge were delicious and well presented. We started our stay with a delicious dinner and then headed for our cabin and unpacking and preparing our gear for an early morning shoot.
DAY ONE: As it was overcast we got to sleep in a bit before going for a well stocked breakfast buffet. Afterwards we were off in quest of color. We spent a good amount of time along Aspy Road where we enjoyed creating photographs of fall color along the Aspy Creek.
Nova Scotia is similar to Maine in that there are lovely settings and a great deal of variety and photo opportunities.
First was this area with grasses and rocks making a wonderful area to work with.
I really enjoyed my time here. Finally I walked on around the lake where there were a number of different plants with different colors and hues.
There also were a couple of large tree stumps which were sitting along the edge of the lake. It all made for a fun stroll with camera.
Lunch was at the Clucking Hen. We were their last customers of the season. I also snagged their last Lobster Roll. This was my only lobster of the trip.😞
DAY THREE: Another overcast morning so we had breakfast before heading off to explore more of Cape Breton Island and search for photo opportunities.
I really enjoyed the storm clouds that appeared and the shadow that it cast.
We explored a couple of hiking trails that started from turnouts and got a couple of interesting shots. The colors here are overpowering in a way, especially since I have not been exposed to the variety and depth of choices in quite some time.
This was an area effected by the winds of Hurricane Fiona which was about two weeks prior to my visit.
DAY FOUR: Once again we had an overcast morning. After breakfast we headed off to a couple of mountains, and the overlook of the Cabot Trail which is the road that travels along the coast of Northern Cape Breton Island, and is a wonderful drive.
 |
| Cabot Trail Overlook |
C
We enjoyed a roadside picnic and then headed off again. Along the way we stopped at a small beach with lots of rocks. I stayed on more level ground and did not venture out to the edge of the surf.😉
We could not resist the many colored Motel,
or the color along the nearby stream.
As we headed back the the Markland, Mark found this colorful setting for sunset.
DAY FIVE: Today started with a sunrise right in our backyard!
After breakfast, we were off with a long stop around Dingwall Harbor.
As you can see, lobster fishing is a main industry here and all over Cape Breton Island.
After exploring the harbor with a camera we then proceeded along the Cabot Trail to a stop at a picnic area for a rest stop and also to explore the woods in the area.
We found a small waterfall.
French Mountain Bog was where we saw a number of tamarack trees which are a type of pine tree whose needles turn yellow/orange in the Fall and then fall off. Every spring there is new growth.
Today we had an early dinner in the small town of Chiticamp. This was so we could then be out and about for sunset. Again we visited a small area for views to the coast and sunset.
DAY SIX: This morning we were off first light along the coast. We visited Black Brook area for sunrise.
Later we visited Neils Harbor, where there is a picturesque lighthouse.
We had lunch in the town of Ingonish.
A study in Long Exposure:
DAY SEVEN: We departed Cape Breton Island this morning with sunrise once again at a Black Brook Beach. We had some lovely light for our last morning.
On our return to Sydney we took the Englishtown Ferry which was a very short ferry ride but was fun, and a nice diversion.
I flew from Sydney to Montreal and then on down to Boston so that I could have a short visit with my brother, Jack, who lives in Melrose, MA.
ON TO FAMILY:
DAY EIGHT: It was an overcast day in Melrose, MA today. We enjoyed a walk along Nahant Beach where I took a few pictures and we just enjoyed walking the beach.
DAY NINE: Today we drove to the Portsmouth, New Hampshire area so I could try t get a photo of the Portsmouth Lighthouse. We did not go into the city, but found a view from the South of the Light with the help of Google Maps.
On the way home, stopped near a cemetery to photograph some lovely fall color on the trees around it.
Dinner was at a local restaurant in Melrose. Once back at Jack's home we enjoyed some catching up on the news, and then it was time for me to pack up my gear for tomorrow's flights to home in San Diego.
DAY TEN: TRAVEL DAY.
My Lyft ride was on time and all went smoothly. My flights went smoothly and I arrived safe and sound this afternoon in San Diego. George had already picked up our dinner of crab sandwiches when he picked me up.
I got a very warm welcome from both George and Sierra.
I am looking forward to a good sleep in my own bed followed by a morning walk with Sierra tomorrow.
