Avalon Peninsula

During our recent stay in St. John’s we took the opportunity to visit parts of the Avalon Peninsula, a large peninsula that makes up the southeast portion of the island of Newfoundland. We traveled the eastern coast as far south as Witless Bay and ventured out on the Baccalieu Trail on the Northern Point of the peninsula.

My first photograph from our travels is from Cape Spear, just east of St. John’s. Cape Spear is noteworthy for being the most easterly point of Canada (and North America). It also boasts an historic lighthouse, a National Historic site. Constructed in 1836, Cape Spear Lighthouse is a prime example of the unique lighthouse architecture of the period. Rising up from the centre of the square lightkeeper’s residence, the all-important light was a beacon of safe passage until 1955, when a new lighthouse tower was built nearby, using the original light. The human history of Cape Spear Lighthouse is the story of the Cantwells. For over 150 years, generations of this family of lightkeepers resided at Cape Spear and worked tirelessly to maintain a light so vital to mariners.

After exploring the lighthouse and its environs, we moved on to a nearby fishing village at Petty Harbour. My photograph doesn’t tell you much about the village and its harbour. I was more intrigued by the image of a flock of gulls convened on these rocks adjacent to the wharf. Perhaps they were awaiting the fishing fleet and what leftovers it might have to offer.

On the next day, we went north and west of St. John’s to explore the Baccalieu Trail, a circuit around the Northern Point featuring a succession of small towns and villages. Our first stop was Port de Graves, located on a narrow peninsula near Bay Roberts. My first photograph captures the small community of Ship Cove, taken from a viewpoint on Blow Me Down Road. (Yes, that’s correct. I didn’t make it up!)

Blow Me Down Road is very scenic, with a number of great photo opportunities culminating at Back Cove, where I found this old fishing shed .

Back Cove was the end of the road, so reversing our path I noticed this compelling scene I needed to photograph. It always happens! I missed this shot going one way and noticed it going the other. I was once told that when taking a photograph, turn around and check the opposite direction before leaving.

My final two photographs for today come from the area of Perry’s Cove, another small village further along the Baccalieu Trail. The first picture captures a rocky headland just before arriving at the village.

A short walk took me to this next location, a nice view of Conception Bay. I like the decrepit old fence and of course the profusion of wildflowers surrounding it.

After the Avalon Peninsula and St. John’s we departed for the west of Newfoundland to visit Gros Morne National Park and the remote town of St. Anthony, located a the very tip of the island. More on that later.