Posts tagged ‘Maritimes’

October 17th, 2011

Plants at Blomidon

On the first part of the Jodery Trail, which is mostly open, there are lots of pin cherries.

mystery wild flower gone to seed. Any guesses?

During our hike along the trails at Blomidon Provincial Park, one thing stood out, and that was fall colors. By that I mean the lack thereof!

“Scientists don’t quite know if global warming is changing the signs of fall like it already has with an earlier-arriving spring. They’re turning their attention to fall foliage in hopes of determining whether climate change is leading to a later arrival of autumn’s golden, orange and red hues.” Read the whole story on MSNBC.

A vernal pond? This spot was magical, but alas, it does not show well in the picture:(

The changes don’t necessarily indicate long-term trends. It could have been the heavy rain and hurricanes we had this year leading to fungal growth, which in turn, cause some tree s to forego the colourful display with leaves to turning brown and dropping earlier. However, there are some studies that indicate long-term trends. 

But in the last week, the fall colors came out, and many are already on the ground.

There are spots along the trail where the forest is all maple trees. There are four speices of maple in the park. I can't tell you want they are because we didn't walk the interpretive trail!

One of my favourite things to do when hiking in the woods is to pay attention to the smells. The types of plants in an area affect the smells. Some areas are full of that pine scent, others smell of rich humus, but my favourite smell is that sweet, cotton-candy smell! What causes that smell out in the middle of the forest? (Douglas fir trees?) (twin flower?)

I hate to admit it, but I don't know my trees! I most correct this gap in my knowledge.

Fireweed gone to seed.

I've always wondered what this black stuff is, anyone know?I think the black stuff is Black Knot Fungus.

Orange Hawkweed, sometimes called Devil's Paint Brush

September 8th, 2011

Hidden Beauties: Secret Waterfall and Bluebead Lilies

Sometimes a short walk will lead you to a hidden beauty, known only to the lucky few who have a home away from home behind the iron gates. I am not one of those “lucky” few, but with an outdated guidebook I was able find their secret! What I’m not showing you is the house that is built nearby (obviously fairly new), but if you look closely in the first picture you can see the small tip of a deck built on top of a flat rock overlooking the falls. I pretended it didn’t exist.

I plan to go back in the fall to explore more of the falls and follow the river. When I finally get a bike, I think this will be one of my destination goals.

Do faeries exist? I present Exhibit A, attesting to the fact that they are indeed, real. Turns out the Victorians where correct in their assumption that faeries sometimes live near waterfalls . . . or maybe it’s just evidence that dragonflies peruse the area.

Bluebead Lily

Bluebead Lily is a native, perennial plant commonly found on Nova Scotia’s shaded forest floor.  The berries are inedible and mildly toxic. The leaves are edible, but only when very young (a few inches tall).  I have never tried one so I can’t say anything about the taste. However, since they are slow to spread and sensitive to grazing white-tailed deer, it is perhaps best to leave this plant alone. The plant reproduces by seed or rhizomes. “Flowering in May and June, it takes over a dozen years for a clone to establish and produce its first flower, 2 years of which are dedicated solely to germination. The rhizome starts to mold after approximatively 15 years, but a colony often covers several hundred m². Few specimens establish new colonies.” (source) Needless to say, the plant is not easily transplanted, but you shouldn’t be stealing wild plants anyway, it’s not nice to mother nature and it’s illegal.

August 22nd, 2011

Hiking in West Dover, Nova Scotia

Last summer when I went hiking in West Dover, I had a mystical experience. Well, it looked mystical anyway, what with all that fog! It made for a very enchanting hike, and as you may have gathered from my blog’s subtitle, enchantment is what I’m all about! Read about my last hike in West Dover here and here.

The other week my parents wanted to experience this magical land of rocks for themselves. First we started off on the side of the road opposite the ocean. By the way, the world famous Peggy’s Cove is just down the road.

On this day we had beautiful, clear skies. Whereas before my vision was limited due to the fog, this time I could still see cars far off in the distance! Apparently I wasn’t out in the middle of nowhere as much as I had thought. Although, depending on which direction you look, it sure does seem like it:

 

After two hours were spent on the one side of the road, we decided to cross the street for the ocean views offered at Polly’s Cove. It was incredibly beautiful.

My parents.

I have many more photos I could share, but I think I’ve posted enough for now.

What you are looking at in these photographs is land formed by glaciers during the last ice age (approx. 100,000 years ago). “The Barrens” as the land is called, has more than exposed granite, but many lakes and bogs which provide a rich ecosystem for pitcher plants, so please tread carefully. (See my wildflower page for pitcher plants). The area is also popular for bouldering, if hiking is not exciting enough for you. (Both times I have come here I have seem good-looking lads! Just in case that sort of info is important to you.)

August 10th, 2011

Vote For Bay of Fundy

Hopewell Rocks at High Tide

 The Bay of Fundy is one of two North American contenders in the New 7 Wonders of the world campaign (the Grand Canyon is the other one).
 
Why should you vote for the Bay of Fundy? Well, there are seven reasons: 
  •  Highest tides in the world.
  •  Marine ecology comparable to the Amazon Rainforest.
  •  World renowned dinosaurs and fossil discoveries.
  •  Home to over 12 species of rare and endangered whales.
  •  Best site on planet for green tidal energy.
  •  Rich in history and culture.
  •  Home to 2 UNESCO Biosphere Reserves, one World Heritage Site and a Geopark.

(Source)

You can vote for seven candidates here.

 

Walking on the ocean floor during low tide.

I grew up at the foot of the North Mountain, Nova Scotia, so I’m no stranger to the Bay of Fundy, but my trip to New Brunswick was my first time seeing it from the other side. I can now check Hopewell Rocks off my bucklist (and ziplining, too, but that’s another post). Not only did we see some beautiful millions-of-years-old rock formations, we also saw flocks of shimmering Semipalmated Sandpipers

 

One of many “before” shots. Bay of Fundy at Hopewell Rocks during high tide. (Mother/Me/Sister)
“After” Shot. Same location, low tide.
That light grey border on the horizon is home, i.e., Nova Scotia! I waved.

You don’t have to travel far to have fun. I have lots more New Brunswick photos to share later, including a few more of Hopewell Rocks.

 
Oh, don’t forget to vote. Let me know who you voted for!