Posts Tagged ‘Newfoundland’

While heading back down from Signal Hill to the Lower Battery in St. John’s, I ran across a small pond where a number of ducks had congregated. There were some ever-familiar Mallards, as well as some less familiar birds to me. Here are the better pics that I shot:

Northern Pintail Duck

Female Mallard Napping (But Keeping an Eye on Me)

Possible Male Tufted Duck (Without Much of a Tuft)

Male Green-winged Teal Beating a Retreat

Pair of Northern Pintail Ducks

Pictures taken while hiking up the North Head Trail up Signal Hill, St. John’s:

Sign on the “Fallout Shelter”, Lower Battery, St. Johns

Houses in the Lower Battery, St. John’s

Seagull Perched on Top of Chimney

The Winding North Head Trail, St. John’s

South Side of St. John’s Harbour Entrance

Taking in the Landscape

Cabot Tower, Signal Hill

Fleeing Fox, Signal Hill

The Ladies at the Top of Signal Hill

A Long Way from Home, Signpost on Signal Hill

The “Atlantic Kingfisher” Leaving St. John’s Harbour

Cabot Tower, Signal Hill 2

Old Cannons by Queen’s Battery

“Cannon 2” From 1709

Mounted Cannon Facing Our from The Queen’s Battery

Mounted Cannon Facing Our from The Queen’s Battery 2

Erika took us for a trip to several places close to St. John’s today, including Quidi Vidi, a small town with an impressive art studio and a damn good brewery. Here are some of the pics I shot of the scenery while there:

Buildings in Quidi Vidi Harbour

Beached Boat in Quidi Vidi

Two Men Discussing in Quidi Vidi

Quidi Vidi Panorama

Our first full day in St. John’s, Newfoundland was initially rainy, then tapered off to being just drizzly.

We first went to the regional Art Gallery and Museum known as the The Rooms, where I was told I couldn’t take pictures, so nothing there.

We then went into downtown looking for a place to eat, and we ended up at The Bagel Cafe where the girls had large mugs of hot chocolate (tea for me) and chowed down on some hot and hearty breakfast food for lunch.

Here are some pics I took while walking along some of the streets in St. John’s while trying to keep out of the rain as much as possible:

Colourful Houses in St. Johns on a Rainy Day

Victoria Hall on Gower Street, St. Johns

Fred’s Records, St. John’s

Today Erika started her long weekend from work on the set of “Republic of Doyle”, and she took us all to the first place she wanted to show to us: Bay Bulls, where she had gone sea kayaking earlier in the year.

Some pics from Bay Bulls:

“150262” Out of the Water for the Off-Season

Mishell the Mermaid Statue at Bay Bulls

Small Waterfall at Bay Bulls, Newfoundland

Huge Spools of Oil Pipeline Equipment, Bay Bulls

Seven Eagles Coming into Port at Bay Bulls

St. Peter and St. Paul Church Facade at Bay Bulls

One of the most fascinating things at the St. Peter and St. Paul Church is their gate, made up of four cannons topped with statues of saints: the “cannonized saints”. The two larger cannon are Enlgish, and the smaller ones to each side are French:

The “Canonized Saints” Gate at St. Peter and St. Paul Church in Bay Bulls

Coming Back from Sea Kayaking in Bay Bulls, Newfoundland

Annie and Erika Getting Out of their Sea Kayak at Bay Bulls, Newfoundland

Everyone was hungry after kayaking, so we went to what is by reputation is the best fish and chips restaurant in Newfoundland: “By The Beach“. I ordered the Captain’s Plate so everyone could try a bit of everything. Here’s what it looked like:

The Captain’s Plate at “By the Beach” Restaurant

It was easily the best fish and chips I have ever had. Period.

Then off to Cape Spear, which is the furthest east you can go and still be in North America.

Annie, Erika and Vanessa at Cape Spear, the Most Easterly Part of North America

It was also the place where during WWII a battery was put in place for defense. The guns and the concrete remains of the old battery are still in place.

Old Naval Gun at WWII Base Cape Spear

Hairy Eyeball Graffiti in Old WWII Base Cape Spear

Then back to home base to rest before dinner at an upscale pizza place Erika wanted us to go to. While we were waiting for our table to be ready at that place, we headed over for some local music and ended up in Kelly’s Pub where we saw Ray O’Leary play most of a set:

Ray O’Leary Playing at Kelly’s Pub