MANUELS RIVER.

Looking upstream from the bridge with a view of the new gazebo. Wanted to get a couple of shots of the river before the Spring thaw, and would have liked to do the walking trail but I'm glad I was able to get this far. This little river sure is a scenic gem. Photos taken today, Feb. 27th.

BENEATH THE BRIDGE.

THE MELT.

It had just started to rain when I took this photo.

LOOKING ACROSS TO THE OTHER SIDE.

The river branches briefly below the bridge before meeting again at the falls.

MAKING WAY.

COOL.

A HARBINGER OF SPRING.

Caught this on my windowpane today. Not a robin, but, despite the snow now covering my neighbour's lawn, an assurance that the seasons are unfolding as they should.

NO SONGBIRD.

The starlings, like the coyotes, are recent arrivals in Newfoundland, and, like the coyotes, are posing a serious threat to some of our more indigenous and loveable species. The once upon a time thrill of the robins' vesper song as they went to roost is now mostly a distant memory.

LUNAR ECLIPSE.

February 20th., 2008. This photo was taken immediately before the commencement of the eclipse, c. 10.20 p.m., Nfld time.

The sky was clear except for low passing clouds, and I was able to get a few shots in between. Photos taken between 10.20 p.m and 11.45p.m.

Because of cloud cover I was not able to get a shot of the moon as it reappeared on the other side of the shadow.

WATCHING MY BIRD FEEDER.

A 420 mm telephoto shot.

WINTER BOUQUET

Knapweed and St. John's Wort seed pods. Almost everywhere they can be seen poking above the snow: a reminder of all that is awaiting the return of Spring.

NEWFOUNDLAND WOODLAND CARIBOU.

This photo was taken in Buchans, Feb. 6th., by nephew, Keith Courage. The population of this magnificent creature is decreasing at an alarming rate due mainly to uncontrolled coyote predation, and scenes like this are in real danger of disappearing unless some serious effort is made to provide protection . Government intervention is presently under way. Hopefully it is not too little too late.

THE M.V. SPENCER. 1959

Shown here at its home port in Fortune, this vessel was used to ferry passengers to and from St. Pierre. This and the following 18 photos were taken during a visit to St. Pierre in 1959. Much has changed during the intervening years.

THE SPENCER AT THE DOCK IN ST. PIERRE

THE WELCOME.

St. Pierre residents waiting on the dock to welcome the arrival of the Spencer.

CLOSE-UP VIEW OF THE WELCOMING CROWD

THE OBSERVER.

Sizing up the crowd on the dock from the deck of the Spencer.

THE ST. PIERRE DORY.

Its unique design, quite distinct from the Newfoundland dory , makes this little fishing boat almost synonymous with St. Pierre. Now, of course, like the Newfoundland skiff, it is a thing of the past.

DORIES.

Those that were motor driven had a system devised that allowed the propella to be drawn up into the hull so that the craft could be hauled up on the slipway.

A DORY.

Preparing to go out to the grounds. Note the engine housing and the tiller on the stern

A SLIPWAY.