Nova Scotia - Halifax/Lunenberg advice

[Khurram]

I have to to go to make a business trip to Luneberg, Nova Scotia, which is supposed to be about an hour west of the halifax airport in early June.

I'm thinking of going a day or two early if there are any good landscape choices around that region.  I'd appreciate any advice regarding some advice around the best times to be shooting around that region.

[Samotano]

I have to to go to make a business trip to Luneberg, Nova Scotia, which is supposed to be about an hour west of the halifax airport in early June.

I'm thinking of going a day or two early if there are any good landscape choices around that region.  I'd appreciate any advice regarding some advice around the best times to be shooting around that region.
[{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

I think you mean Lunenburg.  The area is very nice with lots of bays and fishing villages, ocean, fishing boats, morning mist.  From Halifax, I would suggest not taking the highway, but stick to the local roads. Be sure to visit St. Margaret's bay, Mahone Bay and of course, Lunenburg and Peggys Cove.  Other less touristy areas include Herring Cove, Portuguese Cove, Sambro (have a walk on the beach -can't remember the name-on the east pennant).  Kejimkujik national park is not too far either, but given the time, I would suggest sticking with the locations above.  Best time are June and in the fall (Oct-Nov). By far the most photo opportunities would be the villages and the ocean.

[a href=\"http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=44.46048,-63.619144&spn=0.006478,0.022037&t=h&z=16]http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=44.4604...022037&t=h&z=16[/url]

Here is a pic of Portuguese Cove:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/97538742@N00/...57603392490862/

[Johnny_Johnson]

The village of Blue Rocks shouldn't be missed.  It's just a few miles from Lunenberg.

Later,
Johnny

[Khurram]

I think you mean Lunenburg.  The area is very nice with lots of bays and fishing villages, ocean, fishing boats, morning mist.  From Halifax, I would suggest not taking the highway, but stick to the local roads. Be sure to visit St. Margaret's bay, Mahone Bay and of course, Lunenburg and Peggys Cove.  Other less touristy areas include Herring Cove, Portuguese Cove, Sambro (have a walk on the beach -can't remember the name-on the east pennant).  Kejimkujik national park is not too far either, but given the time, I would suggest sticking with the locations above.  Best time are June and in the fall (Oct-Nov). By far the most photo opportunities would be the villages and the ocean.

http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=44.4604...022037&t=h&z=16

Here is a pic of Portuguese Cove:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/97538742@N00/...57603392490862/
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=187162\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Yes, I did mean Lunenburg.  Thanks for the suggestions!

Do you know how far peggy's cove is from there?  I'm trying to decide whether to spend  a weekend in Halifax or elsewhere, or go directly to Lunenburg.  I've never been to the maratimes, so really don't know much about the region.

[Khurram]

The village of Blue Rocks shouldn't be missed.  It's just a few miles from Lunenberg.

Later,
Johnny


[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=187163\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

thanks for the suggestion Johnny!

[Rusty]

Nova Scotia is pretty compact. Lunenburg has some nice architecture but has become quite touristy. Early June is still early spring in that part of the world, you might want to spend a couple of days after your conference as well. My suggestion is to just bumber up and down the coastal roads, there are lots of small harbours to enjoy. Less touristy is the coastal road north of Halifax, however as the other writer suggested Mahone Bay and Chester are both lovely and close to Lunenburg. Peggy's cove is nearby too. If you have the time, consider a visit to the Minas Basin and the Fundy shore. You might even get some apple blossom in the Annapolis Valley as well. Try the scallops in Digby! I expect that you will want to return for a longer visit, I do and I'm on the west coast.

[Samotano]

Nova Scotia is pretty compact. Lunenburg has some nice architecture but has become quite touristy. Early June is still early spring in that part of the world, you might want to spend a couple of days after your conference as well. My suggestion is to just bumber up and down the coastal roads, there are lots of small harbours to enjoy. Less touristy is the coastal road north of Halifax, however as the other writer suggested Mahone Bay and Chester are both lovely and close to Lunenburg. Peggy's cove is nearby too. If you have the time, consider a visit to the Minas Basin and the Fundy shore. You might even get some apple blossom in the Annapolis Valley as well. Try the scallops in Digby! I expect that you will want to return for a longer visit, I do and I'm on the west coast.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=187475\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Indeed, the coast north of Halifax is much less touristy, less villages and overall wilder.  An alternative route if you arrive at the airport (and you are not too tired and it's not dark) is to take the local road to Eldebank (stop at the pretty Dollar Lake), turn South on 357 to Musquodoboit and from there follow to Dartmouth.  Once you go back (i'm sure you will) be sure to visit Cape Breton.

[Steven Draper]

Hello khurram

There are some very pretty fishing villages around, close too Peggy's cove, although I find Peggy's Cove far to over touristy. Early morning can produce great lighting and avoid most of the crowds. The Swiss Air 111 memorial is a very reflective location that is worth a visit.

The west "Fundy" side, including the Annapolis valley towards Annapolis Royal, Bear River with its buildings on stilts over a massively tidal river, and then down towards the French shore are worth a look. There are many "rustic" rural scenes, especially if you come off the "101" and meander along the back roads, although many require a little looking for along with something special with the light and sky to be noteworthy pictures.

Whale watching trips - Drive all the way to the end of Digby Neck for the best ones!! You'll also have a chance to see the fishing weirs and the balancing rock.

Nova Scotian's are generally very friendly and I hope that you have a great stay in the Maritimes and can add to your image collection - an enjoyable pbase collection - I like swift lake.

[Khurram]

Hello khurram

There are some very pretty fishing villages around, close too Peggy's cove, although I find Peggy's Cove far to over touristy. Early morning can produce great lighting and avoid most of the crowds. The Swiss Air 111 memorial is a very reflective location that is worth a visit.

The west "Fundy" side, including the Annapolis valley towards Annapolis Royal, Bear River with its buildings on stilts over a massively tidal river, and then down towards the French shore are worth a look. There are many "rustic" rural scenes, especially if you come off the "101" and meander along the back roads, although many require a little looking for along with something special with the light and sky to be noteworthy pictures.

Whale watching trips - Drive all the way to the end of Digby Neck for the best ones!! You'll also have a chance to see the fishing weirs and the balancing rock.

Nova Scotian's are generally very friendly and I hope that you have a great stay in the Maritimes and can add to your image collection - an enjoyable pbase collection - I like swift lake.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=187920\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Hi Steven,

Thanks for the suggestions and for visiting my pbase site, glad you liked the photos.

I'm actually going to have to stay in Lunenburg longer then orgiinally planned, I'll have to be there for a 1 1/2 weeks now.  

I have the option of going somewhere else for the weekend in between and then spending the saterday afterwards around the area as well.  Is there any can't miss location around Nova Scotial other then those already mentioned.  I figure I can conver the close by locations while I'm there and head somewhere else on the weekend, when I'm completely free for photography.

[wolfnowl]

If you're going to be staying in Lunenburg, you might want to check out 'The Ovens'

http://www.ovenspark.com/

Mike.

[Khurram]

If you're going to be staying in Lunenburg, you might want to check out 'The Ovens'

http://www.ovenspark.com/

Mike.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=188780\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

THanks for the suggestion!

Any idea of what would be a better choice, going to Cape Breton on a friday night and getting back to Lunenberg for Sunday night, or OvensPark?

[wolfnowl]

Two different worlds.  The Ovens is a beautiful place, but it's very close to Lunenburg.  Cape Breton is a very different place, and to get there you have to cross the province, so you'll see many different things along the way.  If you do go to Cape Breton, make sure you go counter-clockwise around the island so you stay on the ocean side of the road!

Mike.

[Khurram]

Two different worlds.  The Ovens is a beautiful place, but it's very close to Lunenburg.  Cape Breton is a very different place, and to get there you have to cross the province, so you'll see many different things along the way.  If you do go to Cape Breton, make sure you go counter-clockwise around the island so you stay on the ocean side of the road!

Mike.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=188876\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

thanks again for the advice Mike!

[Steven Draper]

I'm glad that you have a little longer in NS

There are not so many "stunning" view points that just ease themselves into an image, as in BC  or some of the US national parks. However there is a lot of detail to be found in the rural landscapes, especially off the main highways. As I said earlier many of the scenes need a little help with the light to transpire into "great images" - normally when tied up with another appointment  and unable to stop. The West side, where I used to live, does have a number of "pretty" old towns, Annapolis Royal, Port Royal, Bridge Town, Bear River with its buildings on stilts over the river being some. However most have a lot of overhead wires which is a pitty as they get in the way.

The coastline around New minus, and the lookout is good, although getting to the other side - about a 2 hour drive from Halifax maybe a little better. If you enjoy coffee, a nice Just Us coffee place is just off Junction 10 of the 101!!

South of Digby there are frequent morning fogs, and these can lead to some interesting possibilities.

My only regret is that while we lived in Nova Scotia, I either commuted and wasn't there much, or had some health challenges so could not get out and photograph as much as I would like - I always though I had next year, then we moved!  

There are a couple of websites, that google will find if you search Fundy and SW Nova.

Steven

[Khurram]

I'm glad that you have a little longer in NS

There are not so many "stunning" view points that just ease themselves into an image, as in BC  or some of the US national parks. However there is a lot of detail to be found in the rural landscapes, especially off the main highways. As I said earlier many of the scenes need a little help with the light to transpire into "great images" - normally when tied up with another appointment  and unable to stop. The West side, where I used to live, does have a number of "pretty" old towns, Annapolis Royal, Port Royal, Bridge Town, Bear River with its buildings on stilts over the river being some. However most have a lot of overhead wires which is a pitty as they get in the way.

The coastline around New minus, and the lookout is good, although getting to the other side - about a 2 hour drive from Halifax maybe a little better. If you enjoy coffee, a nice Just Us coffee place is just off Junction 10 of the 101!!

South of Digby there are frequent morning fogs, and these can lead to some interesting possibilities.

My only regret is that while we lived in Nova Scotia, I either commuted and wasn't there much, or had some health challenges so could not get out and photograph as much as I would like - I always though I had next year, then we moved! 

There are a couple of websites, that google will find if you search Fundy and SW Nova.

Steven
[{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Thanks Steven,
Doing a search on Fundy brought up some pretty good options.  I'll have to consider this one:
[a href=\"http://www.centralnovascotia.com/photodisplay.php?id=72&album_id=1]http://www.centralnovascotia.com/photodisp...d=72&album_id=1[/url]