Bayfield, Antigonish Co.
On February 19, 2018 I took a very short dash over to Bayfield, a scenic seaside spot not far from my parents' house (I was visiting them for Nova Scotia's Heritage Day long weekend).
Snow and seaweed were the prominent sights on my little journey. Bayfield Beach is a popular swimming place known locally for its warm, shallow waters. In the Summertime, children splash in the salt water, looking for the little crabs that hide in the sand. I did not see any crabs, nor indeed any sand, when I was there this time. During the Winter floating sea-ice is carried by the risingtide to the high-water mark and left behind as the water retreats.
Olympus E-PL1: f22, 1/60 sec, ISO 100
PhotoMatix: HDR Toning
Olympus E-PL1: f22, 1/60 sec, ISO 160
PhotoMatix: HDR Toning, IrfanView: Crop
Even without sand or crabs, the beach always seems to be a good spot for finding driftwood. I find the texture of the sea's lumber-milling to be a particularly good subject for HDR photography.
This piece was quite large; likely a whole tree which was bounced around by the waves before being placed high up on the coast. I wonder when it originally fell in, and how far it has travelled on its sea journey...
Olympus E-PL1: f22, 1/60 sec, ISO 160 // PhotoMatix: HDR Toning, IrfanView: Crop
Above is the boardwalk leading from the parking area to the beach. At other beaches, such as the nearby Pomquet Beach, boardwalks traverse sensitive sand dunes. At Bayfield, however, a low marsh sits between the beach and the rest of the land.
Another view of the wetland is seen on the right. I am not sure if this is a saltwater or freshwater marsh, but either way, it is an important habitat for local wildlife. Nova Scotia's beaches are popular with birdwatchers as well as swimmers, partly because the province values protecting the area around the shoreline as well as the sandy bit that gets all the touristy attention.
After visiting the beach I headed down the road a little bit to the Bayfield Wharf. It is one of Nova Scotia's many fishing wharves, from whence local seafarers set forth to catch lobster.
Olympus E-PL1: f22, 1/60 sec, ISO 100
PhotoMatix: HDR Toning, IrfanView: Crop
Olympus E-PL1: f22, 1/60 sec, ISO 160 // PhotoMatix: HDR Toning, IrfanView: Crop
Olympus E-PL1: f22, 1/125 sec, ISO 125
PhotoMatix: HDR Toning, IrfanView: Crop
On the right is the safety centre on the part of the dock which is still in the water. It is important to note that while improvements have been made, fishing is still one of the most dangerous jobs in Nova Scotia. Despite all the bounty the ocean provides, it is not inherantly kind.
Below is one last shot from the wharf, showing off the stone barrier which separates the marina from the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
I usually visit Bayfield Wharf in the Summer, and see the place full of boats. While it is no surprise to see the place empty in mid-February, it does strike me as rather barren. The place does not have to be teeming to be beautiful, though. Seeing the marina wide open, with no ships and no floating docks, shows off its size. Bayfield, Heatherton, and New France are small villages; the local fishing infrastructure is a worthwhile source of civic pride.
Olympus E-PL1: f16, 1/125 sec, ISO 200
PhotoMatix: HDR Toning, IrfanView: Crop
