Simple Abundance

Gooseberry Cove

Cape Breton, NS

Perhaps one of the most beautiful spots
along the Cape Breton coast,

Gooseberry Cove took my breath away
the first time I visited the area.

On that particular day, the angry sea
sent waves crashing among the rocks.

But today's visit was relatively calm.

This is 'Crown Land', owned by the government,

and much to my delight, Nova Scotia is considering

making Gooseberry Cove 

a protected wilderness area.

An hour and a half drive, and well worth every mile.

Approximately 30% of the land in Nova Scotia

is 'Crown Land', and the government has proposed

to set aside 12% as protected areas by 2015.

If I'm reading the information correctly, 

they are not adding an additional 12%, but are

combining new properties to bring 

the total of protected wilderness areas

up to the 12% mark.

Black Guillemots were everwhere!

If only I could include the delicious smell of the sea air,
almost acrid at low tide. 

The only way I was going to capture

this Chalk-fronted Corporal (Ladona julia) 

was to catch him in mid-air!

This little toad was there all day.

One of my most favorite bog plants to photograph,

the Cloudberry (Rubus chamaemorus) 

is considered a delicacy!  

Locations are often kept secret!

The carnivorous Pitcher Plant (Sarracenia purpurea).

Blue Flag (Iris versicolor)

I applaud Nova Scotia's efforts to preserve the wilderness.

Progress is encroaching rapidly.

I have the opportunity to see a lot.

and it isn't always pretty.

Lots of ATV's damaging the bogs

and dunes, illegally, of course.

Forested areas are just as abused.

Simple Abundance?

Only if they become more conscientious about managing

these protected areas. 

That's