I had a chance yesterday to poke around Lunenburg and Queens County as far as Kejimkujik National Park looking for those autumn hot spots so I could turn my camera loose, but I came to the conclusion that we still have a week or two to go before the trees turn truly brilliant.
I find autumn leaf photography is usually a game of cat and mouse in Nova Scotia because the leaves do not change consistently throughout the province. While one areas may be at its peak, another has already passed and a third is yet to come. Therefore it is worthwhile poking around and don't be discouraged because the area you're in is not quite there. You may find a hot spot only a few miles away.
That's where there the autumn leaf watch page on the novascotia.com website comes it handy. Fellow photographers are posting their pictures on a daily basis and if you stay tuned to the postings you can find the best spots without wasting a lot of gas. Of course, you're welcome to post your pictures too. It could help the rest of us out.
Having said that, let me show you what I found yesterday and stay tuned because I will be in Cape Breton this weekend so I should have more to show early next week.
If this scene is typical of what you encounter as you travel around Nova Scotia, don't be discouraged . . . the colour is coming. This photo was taken at Northfield in Queens County not from Keji Park.
This photo was taken on Mill Lake, only a few kilometres away from where the top photo was taken.
Colour comes early when trees grow in damp areas. This was, again, taken not far from the top photo, but in a swampy area where most of the trees have changed. Unfortunately, trees growing in these conditions are usually stunted and not that photogenic.
This view of the Old Annapolis Road in Brookfield, Queens County, is a little more like it, but don't be deceived. I travelled several kilometres down this road and this spot was the only one with significant colour.
Don't be disappointed if you if you can't find hillsides ablaze with colour. Narrow your field of view and you'll find some interesting closeup possibilities as the above two photos illustrate.
The one thing I did learn from yesterday's excursion is that there are going to be some great possibilities in the next week or so along route 208 between New Germany and Caledonia. Some of the farms along these roads have gigantic maple trees growing on their properties and when these change, the views will be stunning. Good luck!
Gorgeous photos Wally! And great advice as well. I actually love the mixture of green trees with those that have already changed colour! Beautiful!
Cynthia
Hi Wally, I wish I could be with you on your trips and take photos with you, I also have a set of fall photos taken along my travel routes within Nova Scotia and I know what you are talking about. It is a pleasure to read your stories and the other blogs as well. Please keep us up to date and show us more photos. I'm already excited what we will see next!
Joerg