Monday, September 16, 2013

Gaff Point, Pt. 1

Nova Scotia; Indian Path; Inlet; Sunrise
©David Sorcher 2013

Actually the above image is not on our Gaff Point hike, but every journey needs to start somewhere and here i am still at my in-law's house looking out on their backyard as the sun rises. Truth be told we should have been on the beach two hours before i even took this shot, but we had a long day previously and all this backyard beauty made us a bit lazy. So i missed my "golden hour" on the hike along Hirtle's Beach to the Gaff Point trail head and frankly, i probably missed a lot of good images because of our tardiness. We actually didn't hit the beach until noon, much later than i ever expected we would start. 

Nova Scotia; Hirtle's Beach
©David Sorcher 2013

So we made our way along Hirtle's Beach on our way to the trail head in the worst light of the day. Straight overhead light is hard and unforgiving, providing the least amount of shadow play. This doesn't mean you can't find photographs, but light is just not as intriguing nor as warm. 

Nova Scotia; Hirtle's Beach; Driftwood
©David Sorcher 2013

Still, we spent more time on the beach than we should have (as usual) before we reached the trail head. I'm not quite sure of the distance along the beach, but the Gaff Point loop is 4.7 km (about 3miles). Still, the fastest Veronica and i have ever done this hike is 7 hrs. and our longest time out was about 12 hrs. Back in my cross-country running days i could have run this loop in 15 minutes. But when you stop every few moments to make a photograph, well, we take our time. There is just too much to see. We also learned our lesson a while back that we don't take non-photographer friends or family along on this hike with us. They just don't tolerate our pace very well.  :-)

©David Sorcher 2013

I had seen the tip of the iceberg with this driftwood a few days earlier at high tide. It was nice to find it exposed when the tide was low and explore its weathered wood and rock-filled crevices.

Nova Scotia; Hirtle's Beach; rocks
©David Sorcher 2013

If you like to beachcomb Hirtle's is a paradise for beach rock collectors. The colors can be remarkable, especially when wet. 

Nova Scotia; Gaff Point; Silhouette; Cliffs, Atlantic Ocean
Awaiting the Captain's Return ©David Sorcher 2013

After emerging from the woods the Gaff Point trail runs right along the coastal cliffs to reveal some amazing views. We had spent so much time on Hirtle's Beach that the long shadows were returning. I took that opportunity to make this silhouette self-portrait, but in retrospect i think i look more like a pregnant woman awaiting the return of her fisherman husband from the sea. :-)

Nova Scotia; Gaff Point; Cliffs, Atlantic Ocean; Rocks; Iron Deposits
©David Sorcher 2013

The colors and formations of the rocks along the point trail are fantastic, thanks to deposits of iron and other minerals. 

Nova Scotia; Gaff Point; Cliffs, Atlantic Ocean; Rocks; Iron Deposits
©David Sorcher 2013

These are rocks that one can truly image as being ALIVE! :-)

Nova Scotia; Gaff Point; Cliffs, Atlantic Ocean; Rocks; Seaweed
©David Sorcher 2013

©David Sorcher 2013

Textures, colors, line and form all play gleefully by the sea. Seaweed clings to rock like children to their mother.  

Nova Scotia; Gaff Point; Cliffs, Atlantic Ocean; Rocks; Iron Deposits
©David Sorcher 2013

The late afternoon sun falls with a lovely selectivity on these colorful cliff rocks. We are losing our sun, though, on this side of the point and need to pick up our pace to follow the light to the western facing front. 

Nova Scotia; Gaff Point; Cliffs, Atlantic Ocean; Rocks; Iron Deposits
©David Sorcher 2013

Nova Scotia; Gaff Point; Cliffs, Atlantic Ocean; Rocks; Iron Deposits
Couch Potatoes ©David Sorcher 2013

I love the natural seating this section of rock provided, imaging these boulders as "couch potatoes". :-)

Nova Scotia; Gaff Point; Cliffs, Atlantic Ocean; Rocks; Stone Stacking
Inukshuk ©David Sorcher 2013

We finally reach the tip of the point. Stone stacking has become a tradition at the point with the constructions often taking on figural traits such as in this example. Ones shaped in the human form like this are known as inukshuk by First Nations people. We'll pick this up right here next time when i will give you a look at the return side of the hike. :-)














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