This past weekend, I travelled through western and northern Cape Breton looking for Autumn leaf hotspots and I was in for a pleasant surprise. Although there were still a few areas that were coming along slowly, there were many others where the leaves well along.
This was in stark contrast to last week when I drove through parts of Lunenburg and Queens County and found that, for the most part, the leaves were still at least a week away from being at their best.
I wasn't alone in Cape Breton on the weekend. The Cabot Trail, in particular, was a beehive of activity and most of the lookoffs were filled with cars whose occupants stood at the guardrails and clicked away with their digital cameras.
Most of the comments I heard were positive, but I know from experience that what people were seeing was a far cry from what they will see a few days hence. Take North Mountain, the highest point in Nova Scotia on the Cabot Trail near Pleasant Bay. The leaves were good, but in a few days they will be awesome. The photo below is of the single red tree surrounded by still-green maples on North Mountain. Given a few days, the rest of these trees will be sporting their fall colours too.
Having said that, now is the time to start enjoying and photographing over the next few weeks, not only in Cape Breton, but throughout the province. Here are a few more images from the weekend and I'll feature photos from some other areas in Nova Scotia in the next few days, weather permitting that is.
The view of northern Cape Breton mountains from Cabot Landing Provincial Park between Cape North and Bay St. Lawrence.
This young lady photographs Egypt Falls on the Piper's Glen Road near Lake Anslie.
Both anglers and moose were enjoying the Margaree River as it flows through the heart of the Margaree Valley.
This is another view of the Margaree River from a roadside lookoff.
The Egypt Road near Lake Anslie was alive with colour. This is not far from the trail to Egypt Falls (above).
Finally, I'll leave (no pun intended) you with one thought. Keeps an eye out where your walking. You might be tramping on a great picture. Good leaf hunting!
Wally, your photos are breathtaking. Love to have them on our Flickr channel as well. What do you think?
Cynthia
Hi Wally,
Nice to see these gorgeous fall pictures. Egypt falls is one of my favourite places on the Island and I've seen a moose going down the river on more than one occasion!
Cheers,
Monette