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For a larger view of the slideshow, just click a picture in this slideshow. Or just keep scrolling down for a full view of each photo with explanations.

TERENCE BAY LIGHTHOUSE

Not far from the position of this lighthouse in Terence Bay, Nova Scotia, the largest pre-Titanic disaster at sea took place in the late 1800s. Hundreds of lives were lost on the RMS Atlantic. And hundreds were saved by residents of the nearby communities with the help of their fishing boats. A stroll past Sandy Cove and significant private property leads you through a sometimes muddy trail to the rocks surrounding this weather-beaten beacon. In this silhoutte picture, TC was standing near sea level looking southwest. This gorgeous community is only a short drive from Halifax; closer than Peggy's Cove, in fact.

ECONOMY MOUNTAIN PANORAMIC

At the height of Nova Scotia's most beautifully scenic season, on Thanksgiving Day to be precise, we drove up Economy Mountain near the Fundy shore to see Economy Falls for the first time. After seeing the Falls from multiple angles and climbing up some very steep cliffs, we crossed the river that flows into the Economy Falls and began another climb. We were fatigued, I won't kid you. And we still had another destination, Five Islands Provincial Park. So we set a time limit on ourselves before attacking another section of the Kenomee Trails system. At the end of those 10 minutes, this was our view back from where we came captured in vertical panoramic fashion.

GREAT VILLAGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

The Great Village Elementary School is still in service. The basketball net in front is a symbol of its age: I'm pretty sure the school was built before the game was invented. On a day that took SC and TC to Economy Falls and Five Islands Provincial Park, this school jumped out at us on the way back to Truro. For one thing, the clouds. Oh, the clouds. But it also struck us as a building where, looking back as adults, we would have loved to be educated. Unfortunately the children inside are likely under the impression that the big city schools with all their technology and dual gymnasiums are the place to be, but these are the kids who will have a story to tell about the school where they spent their formative years; a story that'll last them for life.

HORSES ON GLOOSCAP TRAIL

This tiny little peninsula called Nova Scotia is home to fewer than a million people and just 55,338 square kilometres. Yet many, many tens of thousands of those square kilometres have gone unexplored by SC and even undiscovered by TC, a native to the province. Between Windsor and Truro along the Fundy shore is the Glooscap Trail. Home to the highest tides in the world at Burntcoat Head and some of the most rugged, ever-changing scenery you'll ever see, this section of the Glooscap Trail is worth seeing every year, not once every three decades. Horses seemed to be in abundance, most regularly along the shore side of the road. Although you can't see it in this photograph, these horses are just metres away from a cliff that drops right down to the water (or mud when the tide is out). Happy to stand and pose for a couple minutes, these horses in Selma or Spring Brook may not have realized the stunning backdrop forming behind them. The clouds on this day were spectacular.

HYPER COLOUR SUNSET ON NORTHWEST ARM

It won't require much of your time to discover the bountiful beautiful sunsets on the Northwest Arm, the waterway which separates Spryfield, Armdale, and Halifax. Beginning at or near Point Pleasant Park, the Northwest Arm is, to a degree, a part of Halifax Harbour. Only, rather than continuing in towards the Bedford Basin, the Northwest Arm stops at the Armdale Rotary Roundabout. Obviously direction helps with any sunset - shooting east just ain't a good method - but the Arm is ideally set up for sunset photography: long stretches of smooth water, stunning homes, slight geography changes along the shore, and plenty of places from which to photograph. Locals would know right off the bat that this picture wasn't taken recently; our skies just don't form these clouds or these colours in October. Late August is the timing answer.

GREENWICH NATIONAL PARK BEACH

Arriving at Greenwich, Prince Edward Island just after a very filling supper at Rick's in St. Peter's doesn't bode well for swimming in an area often labelled as PEI's most dangerous shore. Thankfully, all had been calm for days and the weather was piping; right out of the oven. A quick inspection of the "real" beach in the Greenwich part of the PEI National Park revealed spectacular dune-scape but not exactly what we were looking for. Plus, we were supremely full. Before leaving, this picture of the beach looking northeast was a must grab.

GREENWICH TALL GRASS

Next year, you really ought to walk the Greenwich Dunes Trail in August. On a semi-clear day. About an hour before sunset. Stop on the floating boardwalk and turn towards your right. Here's your view. By this time you're only five minutes from coming to the end of the boardwalk and mounting the dune that'll offer quite a 360-degree view of its own, but pause for a moment and take in what feels like kilometre-after-kilometre of tall marsh grass. Wildlife much? Beavers, birds of many feathers, and foxes galore gallivant through this area. If you're as lucky as we were, incredibly warm water awaits on a completely private beach. But first, take a picture of the grass. All this is found in the middle of a national park just minutes from St. Peter's, Prince Edward Island.

POINT PLEASANT PARK STAIRCASE

Deep in Point Pleasant Park, tucked away on a hillside between trees and narrow paths, is a large grassy area where Shakespeare By The Sea performs all summer. This area, the old Cambridge Battery, is surrounded on one side by trees and the other by what's left of... well, Cambridge Battery. What's left is crumbling; but beautiful. Shaded heavily, the Battery's brick walls and cement staircases hold within their grasp blackberries and apple trees and lots of space to run and play for dogs and kids. And adults. But be careful on the staircase. We're not sure how much longer it'll hold up.

SANDSTONE ST. MARY'S IN SOURIS

St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church in Souris, Prince Edward Island is a wonderful example of sandstone architecture. PEI is certainly not the only location on the globe in which sandstone is used as a major construction element, but the unique colour tones set this church - and other PEI buildings - apart from the others. Red dirt is more PEIish than Anne of Green Gables or potatoes. Of course, this picture doesn't show the church so much as its brickwork and the cemetery in the background. Perched on a hill near the outskirts of Souris in the east end of PEI - "down east", as they say - St. Mary's is beautiful inside and out, Catholic or not.

KIDS ON ROOF IN SOURIS, PEI

At the height of the summer of 2009, the best weather arrived for a Prince Edward Island vacation for SC and TC. In SC's hometown of Souris, PEI, the heat of the noonday sun made the only fitting outdoor activity swimming at local beaches like Bothwell, Red Point, and Basinhead. However, after the supper hour, the children of Souris found an entrancing activity looking out over the area where the Îles-de-la-Madeleine ferry docks in Souris. In fact, these little "tourist bureaus" are all over PEI after Pat Binns' budget cuts meant some tourist outreach work was to be done by the communities in picnic huts. But I digress. These boys (and girl) were practicing their gymnastics in a sight that was all too obvious for a beautiful silhouette by SC. And power lines? There's something good about power lines in this photo: a genuine quality that makes the photo definitively Alfresco; something with urbanic rurality.

DINGLE SUNSET

The Northwest Arm is a jut of water which separates Armdale and Halifax proper from the Purcell's Cove Road area. Situated perfectly for sunset photography from either Point Pleasant Park or waterfront homes near Dalhousie University or the Waegwoltic Club or from the Dingle, the Northwest Arm is definitely a section of the Halifax Regional Municipality worth checking out. But wait a second, this sunset picture is from the bottom of South Street looking toward the Dingle. That would be.... south. Well, some sunsets are overpowering - and this night was indeed just that. Editing, however, never hurts the cause.

DREAM STATE CIRCUS FIRE SHOW

Growing up in Halifax, Nova Scotia made buskers an automatic part of TC's life. Every August, an increasingly smaller part of downtown was overpopulated with men in tights, acrobats, jugglers, and hot dog vendors. And tourists. Two times, SC and TC have had the privilege of ending up on the Halifax waterfront just in time for a fire show by Dream State Circus. The trust required by the audience wife toward her husband and the husband toward his wife is measured in gigantic proportions. Click the picture for an enlarged view where you'll see that Jacob McGrath isn't practicing the art of multiple fire-filled hula hoop twisting but rather the exposure from TCs Fuji is just long enough for you to see the fire in various directions. Watch a bit of Dream State Circus on YouTube for a better hint at the excitement.

THREE LLAMAS

Over a week spent on Prince Edward Island involved just one drive on the road through Kinkora, Newton, and Shamrock. On a steep downward left-hand sweeper, SC's father decided to make a quick u-turn for pictures of a field full of llamas. Included were a handful of timid llama babies (cria) and a large pack of adults who weren't at all afraid of the photographer. Llamas were reintroduced to North America later in the 20th century and there are now over 100,000 on this continent. Llama and alpaca farms are common on Prince Edward Island. The three llamas seen in this picture stand near the crown of a hill about 10 kilometres from the Northumberland Strait.

PUBLIC GARDENS BUTTERCUPS

There are plenty of more exotic flowers in the Public Gardens of Halifax, Nova Scotia. Yet these little buttercups drew our attention because of their height. From the grass, one look up reveals little else but the early evening sky. Focused on the flowers with a big flash, the sky dims while the flowers brighten. Loverly.

FENWICK STREET ART

Without knowing who lives at 5624 Fenwick Street we can't be sure if this home holds a currently famous artist or if it's just somebody who really wants to be like Vincent Van Gogh. Regardless, it's not very often you walk by a massive construction site and see, just metres away, a large black and red canvas sitting on someone's doorstep.

TALL SHIPS MASTS

For a larger view of the Halifax Tall Ships Festival of '09, click here. As for this shot taken from a staircase near Pier 21, dozens of ships remain hidden but the masts of two schooners reveal themselves behind this flowerbed. Look to the left and the scenery is distressing as Nova Scotia Power renovates an ugly old building to become its new HQ. Thankfully, the Fuji's lens's angle isn't that wide.

PLANTERS BOXES ON BIRMINGHAM STREET

Tainted by a few dead flowers and a Nova Scotia Power meter, the character of this picture pulls in urban dwellers and probably turns off rural folk. Look to the distance in order to spot Clyde Street and, if your eyes are really good, Spring Garden Road. On-street parking is limited, so most of these houses have back gardens that have been turned into gravel parking lots. Thankfully, some homeowners let the nature have its way out front.

GRASS & AN ACADIAN CROSS

Look closely. Beneath the lamp post. Spot the cross? That cross springs out of a monument to Acadians who were imprisoned on Georges Island in previous centuries. In the Great Expulsion which began in 1755, the French-speaking Acadians were expelled from what's now Nova Scotia. Of course, that describes the background. Closer to the lens was this lovely beach grass that grows between a large parking lot and the boardwalk of the Halifax waterfront.

ISLAND OF PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

Walk a few minutes around the eroding bend from this previously pictured beach in Lower Darnley, Prince Edward Island and you'll find this spot. The rate at which PEI disappears casts doubt upon the life expectancy of this sandstone edifice; only adding to its allure. Grassy corners full of small birds who likely spend much of their summer hardly seeing a single human mark this island as one of the Island's most charming spots.

LOWER DARNLEY BEACH OUTGOING TIDE

Not far from a favoured beach of TC and SC, Thunder Cove, sits this unnamed swath of sand near Lower Darnley. Nearly empty but for for a few cottagers, this beach may not be as spectacularly sandy as Thunder Cove but its setting is perhaps more idyllic. One long dirt road, one very narrow path, one stream that must be crossed, and hardly any people? That's a real Prince Edward Island beach.

HALIFAX TALL SHIPS FESTIVAL 2009

2000, 2004, 2007, and now 2009 have presented tourists with an unbelievable awesome option in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The Tall Ships Festival steps directly from centuries-gone-by into the much narrower Halifax Harbour. Ships of varying sizes crowd the Halifax side of the waterfront before a parade-of-sail takes place on the final day as the ships circle past Dartmouth and out to the mouth of the harbour. This picture was taken from the old helipad near Bishop's Landing looking toward the Nova Scotia Power building and Pier 21.

HALIFAX INTERNATIONAL TATTOO PARADE WATCHERS

Only a few acts remained when an opening for TC to jump into the middle of the action appeared. Though over-exposed at the top of the photograph, it is the shiny super-exposed pavement more than the feet of the parade watchers that really sells this picture. The Halifax International Tattoo takes place for about a week every July. It's rather expensive to catch the whole show at the Metro Centre. But on Canada Day, a small sampling of each act can be seen in the Tattoo Parade. This picture was taken on the corner of Spring Garden Road and Brunswick Street right in front of the Fireside restaurant.

QUEEN'S COLOUR SAILORS

At the presenting of the Queen's Colour on the Garrison Grounds at the base of Citadel Hill, the perfect lines of the Canadian Navy's sailors appear incredibly skewed when viewed without.... their bodies. Security for Governor General Michaelle Jean was surprisingly active. Peter MacKay also made an appearance along with plenty of provincial dignitaries and a massive contingent of Halifax-based Navy personnel.

SPIDERWEBS AND SAILBOATS

You may have heard of the security guard who asked TC and SC to depart the sea level docks on the harbourfront boardwalk. If requests like that were adhered to, photos like this wouldn't happen. This wonderfully formed spiderweb was strung along between the bars of a walkway that led downward to a floating dock, just like the one holding the sailboat in the background. Read between the lines to spot the tugboat in the distance.

HALIFAX TALL SHIPS PANORAMIC

Legions of Tall Ships sailed into Halifax Harbour in mid-July of 2009. With extensive renovations completed (or nearly completed) along the Halifax waterfront, the Tall Ships 2009 Festival attracted tourists from across the province, across the country, and indeed from around the globe. In this panoramic photo shot from the roof of a parking garage on Hollis Street in the downtown core, one Marriott hotel and one Canadian government office building dominate the foreground while beautiful blue sky rests above the sailboat-infested harbour.

DUNCAN'S COVE LIGHTHOUSE

From the shore looking up towards the Duncan's Cove lighthouse (Chebucto Head), one realizes again the enormity of the task set before such a building. This is the harshest possible land into which any ship could come into contact. If the way was not lit decades or even centuries ago, huge numbers of lives would be lost. In this picture, the lighthouse looks to be miles away but is actually just a short walk up the slippery cliffs. After traversing one of the worst roads in HRM, the drive downtown is about 25 minutes.

DUNCAN'S COVE

Attempting to capture waves crashing when their frequency borders on Christmas-like is difficult. Lighting was conducive to photographic sessions on this day in Duncan's Cove. This picture, looking towards Europe from the mouth of the Halifax Harbour, reminds one of times decades in the past when massive convoys of ships passed by this very point, entering into dangerous territory. On this day, three container ships seemed like plenty.

A RUSTING FORTRESS AT DUNCAN'S COVE, NS

Places like this are all over the Halifax Regional Municpality. The plus side says they're rustic, charming, and full of character. On the other hand, these are historic buildings, some of them in officially designated historic sites like York Redoubt, and they're completely ignored by Parks Canada or Natural Resources Nova Scotia. This miniature fortress is at Duncan's Cove. Look past the building towards Herring Cove and Spryfield or turn slightly to the right for a look at the tips of the tallest buildings in the downtown.

DINGLE IN FRONT OF PURCELL'S COVE FIRE

Utter sadness meets epic scenery in this real-time shot of the Purcell's Cove fire that sprung out of the forest and gobbled up multiple homes in suburban Halifax. In a drastic situation, it's awful to be grabbing pictures of the fire remnants from just a couple kilometres away. In reality, one tells one's self that we were many kilometres away (out one peninsula and into another) and that only official help could really assist. In an world full of more than six billion people, we always find a reason to talk about trouble but disassociate ourselves at the same time. We can only hope that a picture likes this represents danger and spreads caution but also stands as a testament to people who worked overtime (and more overtime) to put the fire out and take care of the affected people.

SUNSET ON THE NORTHWEST ARM

Arriving at our photography scene, the tide was in so far at the bottom of South Street on the Northwest Arm in the south end of Halifax that ulterior scenarios had to be developed. Creeping onto a rocky hedge in a very wealthy person's backyard, SC grabbed this sunset of the Armdale area through a small fence and tree-lined ridge. Take note of the chains travelling from the dock to the water - it's amazing what shows up silhouetted and what is sharp and detailed.

NORTHWEST ARM SUNSET

A strikingly easy silhouette pose popped up right in front of SC's eyes before arranging the camera, pressing the timer button, and heading for a pose. What's this? The art is the artist? Had the picture not turned out so well, this would have simply been the requested photo for our families. Instead, the ball of sun that appeared just minutes before it fell out of sight and the green-hill-turned-black in the foreground all managed to turn the artists into art, indeed.

VOTE FOR TGCG AT HYPERCUBE.CA

Nissan's beautifully modern Cube is an automobile of a different kind. So simple and clean; there's an obvious connection with AlfrescoPhoto. Differentiation - above all else - is essential both with the Nissan Cube and SC and TC, your favourite photographers. The picture you see here comes straight from the little blue cube's life; a life you can follow at www.wherebluecube.blogspot.com. Yet to be seen on TGCG's Hypercube canvas, this foretaste shows the little blue cube in a place where the real Nissan Cube could and should be. Carmichael Street, very near the Grand Parade and the Halifax Metro Centre, looks straight up at one of Halifax's most distinguishing structures, the old Town Clock. Photographed late in the afternoon from the middle of the street, the little blue cube makes one wish badly for the real deal. Register to vote for AlfrescoPhoto's male force here and find TGCG's Hypercube canvas here.

MUSIC ON THE ROCKS AT POINT PLEASANT

On such a beautiful spring-like day, TC and SC could not help but spend a large chunk of their afternoon walking along the dockyards in Halifax and through Point Pleasant Park. The park was a going concern. Everyone and their dog showed up. This girl, hidden from view of the general public, was strumming and singing softly - completely enjoying the beauty of the day in her own musical way.

NIGHT LIGHTS

Close to the intersection where Morris Street turns into University Street, SC paused to play with the light of a passing car. The reflections of the wet pavement with the various lights make this an interesting picture.

CENTENNIAL BUILDING's SALTY STEPS

While waiting for SC's workday to be complete, TC captured this salt-caked stairs infront of the Centennial Building on Hollis Street in Halifax, Nova Scotia. To SC, salt is the key depressing element of the lovely winter season - it can make for an interesting picture though.

BISHOP'S LANDING, HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA

This photo was shot by TC while we were on a walk of the Halifax Waterfront, celebrating the abundant blue sky we have had of late. This photo of Bishop's Landing stood out due to the light of the lanturn showing up in an eye catching way.

SWEET JANE'S CHEERY SIGN

On the first day of March, SC was beginning to get tired of the gloomy sight of dirty hard snow, gray skies, and lack of colour. On our walk, SC challenged herself to shoot only cheery pictures. This Sweet Jane's sign sits on the corner of Queen Street and Spring Garden Road in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Sweet Jane's is a funky little store where you can get candy from all the decades gone by.

SUMMIT PLACE

The 21st G7 summit was held in this building from June 15 to June 17, 1995, in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

PILOT BOAT BEHIND THE PINE

While on another one of our Halifax waterfront walks, SC glanced over and saw this pilot boat through this pine tree. Thinking it a very wintry looking scene, she paused to capture it.

A BERRY OLD BUILDING

We were not sure what type of tree this is, but liked the contrast of the berries with the brick building in the background. This scene can be found at the entrance of the Halifax waterfront boardwalk just off of Marginal Road. If you know what type of tree, please comment to let us know!

THE GATHERING OF THE EAGLES

From late November until early March, hundreds of bald eagles gather in Sheffield Mills, Nova Scotia. It is a most magnificent sight when you arrive there mid morning. You can see them sitting in the trees lining one field in particular. Between 9-10 a pick-up truck arrives, a man gets out and throws chicken entrails into the middle of the field, then drives away. Slowly the eagles leave the security of the trees and swoop down to snatch up the provided brunch. We have never before seen more then 4 or 5 eagles at once, so watching as hundreds of bald eagles fill the air in front of us was most spectacular. Unfortunately, there were pylons keeping the viewers to the edge of the field. So crystal clear close up photos were hard for those of us with only 12x zoom.

A CRISP HALIGONIAN MORNING IN JANUARY

Leaving early for work and freezing SC's legs became well worth it, when she stepped onto Halifax's Harbourfront Walk and saw this sight. Halifax, Nova Scotia,  is well known for being the second largest ice free harbour in the world. What it may not be so well known for, is the mysterious sea mist that appears during the coldest season of the year. 

A FIERY SUNRISE IN HALIFAX HARBOUR

At 8am on Friday, January 16, 2009, the temperature in Halifax, NS, was -22° outside with a -32° windchill. The seamist in the Halifax Harbour was incredible. In this photo, George's Island is rising from the mist with the sun casting a fiery glow on the cold waters.

HUNTER RIVER, PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

On our way to our 5th anniversary dinner, we had to make yet another stop. SC couldn't let TC drive past this scene from the past. This is on Route 2 in PEI. It is a quaint little village named after the river - Hunter River.

SOLITARY TREE IN HUNTER RIVER FIELD

Less than 24 hours after a major winter storm struck Prince Edward Island just before Christmas, Summerside-based SC and TC traveled towards Charlottetown with one goal: eat at the Canton Cafe. One of many stops resulted in a sideroad near Hunter River. Winds were howling and the windchill was lower than -20 C. Drifts were forming under a bright blue sky on relatively high-trafficked roads. This snow-covered dirt road was as picturesque as could be expected in winter scenery, with this battered tree separating two potato fields off to the side of the road. Because of the cold, TC didn't even escape from the heated seat of his in-laws Toyota Camry.

DESERTED TRACTOR IN ISLAND FIELD

While on the side road in PEI, we couldn't help but stop and take this picture.  It speaks of how things come to a grinding halt for some farmers when winter hits the Island.

AN IDYLLIC WINTER SCENE IN PEI

While on vacation in Prince Edward Island (PEI), SC's parents suggested we take a drive down this road on our way to Charlottetown for Canton Cafe's most delicious eggrolls.  The suggestion was much appreciated as we took in one beautiful scene after another.

URBAN BUTTER HALIFAX '08

While watching the Urban Butter Showcase in the Grand Parade in downtown Halifax, TC shot this picture. The World Trade Convention Centre is the backdrop as this snowboarder competes in the freestyle ski and snowboard competition on November 29, 2008.

RAILROAD TRACKS NEAR THE DARTMOUTH FERRY TERMINAL AT ALDERNEY LANDING

Fooled you. Rural this is not. Only steps from the downtown Dartmouth Ferry terminal in Nova Scotia, these tracks are no longer busy but remain "No Trespassing" territory. Oops. Shocking though it may sound, this wildly thick fog lifted completely about twenty minutes after this picture was taken.

SUNSET OVER DOWNTOWN HALIFAX ROOFTOPS AND CITADEL HILL

Looking at Citadel Hill from the roof of a parking garage doesn't sound romantic, but with a sunset that turns clouds this colour, any location is romantic. The rooftops of hotels and office buildings and historic buildings, with their HVAC systems and peeling paint, look pitiful in the light of a sunset over Citadel Hill. Not that this sunset needed pitiful architecture to heighten its greatness.

BRIGHT AUTUMN DAY WITH MAPLE LEAVES AT POINT PLEASANT PARK

Few large high-traffic parks are as dog-friendly as Point Pleasant Park (in Halifax, Nova Scotia). This area, high above the shoreline, shows spectacular shadows at mid day with a rainbow of autumn colours.

VOLVO XC70 IN GRAFFITI-FILLED PARKING LOT

Because of TC's other career as an automotive writer, this Volvo XC70 came into the Alfresco Photo Duo's care at the height of summer. Parked in a deep parking lot on Water Street in downtown Halifax, the gleaming metallic silver of the mature Volvo seems almost humourous with extensive graffiti behind.... and all around. This CanPark lot, sometimes a street hockey arena and sometimes home to old modified Civics and their owners, is one of the more stunning photo locations in Halifax, Nova Scotia, that nobody knows about.

TULIPS AT PARLIAMENT HILL PEACE TOWER

Arriving in Ottawa, Canada's capital city, just as the annual tulip festival was beginning, made for spectacular scenery on a very warm May day. Even with perspective and focus that makes the tulips seem large, Canada's Peace Tower dominates any picture of which it forms a part.

GEORGES ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE OVER THE TUGBOAT TIRES (Halifax, NS)

Theodore, it ain't. But one of many Halifax's famous tug boats is resting at the dock while fog forms in the harbour and attempts to shut out the Georges Island Lighthouse.

LUNENBURG FISHERMEN THROUGH GATE LOCK

Two old fishermen share tall tales on the Lunenburg shores. These blue buildings have passed through many owners over the last decade as the south shore fishery of Nova Scotia has boomed and busted, boomed and then busted again. 

HEAVY FOG AND SUNSHINE IN THE NORTHWEST ARM (Halifax, NS)

From less traveled parts of Point Pleasant Park, this bright day is seen with the thick remnants of a foggy night. Looking back toward the Armdale Rotary, the clear water and graffiti show up well. The rotary? Not at all, fortunately.

SAILBOAT THROUGH WHARF OPENING IN HALIFAX HARBOUR

Haligonians know summer has arrived - or will do so soon - when sailing vessels hit the Bedford Basin or enter the harbour after sailing out of the Northwest Arm. Serving normally as an aid for people stepping onto tour boats or as a tie-up for ropes, this time, the boardwalk's appendage serves as a perspective skewer, making the sailboat look far smaller than truth would have it.

ROWBOATS AT BISHOPS LANDING Halifax, NS

With the rich condominiums of Bishops Landing jutting into view, there's no doubt that these rowboats aren't docked in a rural fishing village. A helipad wharf is off to the right and large sailing vessels dock beside these boats. Idyllic? In a manner of speaking, for sure. Contrastingly idyllic? More probable.

WHERE THE GNOMES COME TO PLAY IN KEJIMKUJIK NATIONAL PARK, Nova Scotia

Near a small waterfall in Kejimkujik National Park, a brief walk brings you out into a slight clearing in the path. This little island in the river appears, looking like the perfect hideaway for heretofore unseen creatures. Gnomes? Trolls? This be their place, reflecting beautifully on the water or not.

RUNNING ROVER IN POINT PLEASANT PARK

Sometimes images like this occur because of skilled photography. Other times, dogs run at your feet as you attempt to take a picture of a newfound pond on Point Pleasant Park. Have a guess. One way or another, this happy-go-lucky canine managed not to shake his wet fur all over the camera.

REPAIRS NEEDED ON WHARF ELECTRICALS

The footing may be solid. The electrical outlets? Not so much. Only metres from one of Halifax's most revered residences, Bishops Landing, the former emergency helipad is a favourite viewpoint for watching cruise ships enter and leave the harbour. Fortunately, those ships don't look for electricity from this wharf.

RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD

On the lawns of Parliament Hill, the colours of this beautiful bird contrast with bright green May grass. Poking for worms or posing for pictures, this bird was well acquainted with tourists and not very afraid.

PIZZERIA A MANO'S OUTDOOR CAFE IN SNOW

At Pizzeria aMano on Bishops Landing in downtown Halifax, the outdoor furniture sits tight all year round. Don't be fooled, that is just a mural. But don't underestimate the depth of snow, either. Many cups of hot chocolate and many slices of gourmet pizza would be needed to keep you warm at these tables.

GEORGES ISLAND IN FOG

Other perspectives of this same fog formation over Georges Island with the harbour pilot are available here and here. This panned-out version shows stirred waters and makes the island look bite-size. Were the lighthouse to be essential, one wonders how its lights could be strong enough to fight through the mist.

PILLARS AT THE LINCOLN MEMORIAL

B&W is rarely so rich as in Washington, D.C. These pillars at the Lincoln Memorial grabbed the attention of the Alfresco Photo Duo more strongly than even the White House or Capitol. Imagine that you're able to see past the left side of the image, across the Potomac River; or look past the people at the end of the row of shadows, veer to your right and run to the White House. Run back around the corner to see the Washington Monument and just past that, the Capitol. If anything is more tight-knit in Washington than the partisan politics, it's the architecture.

PIGEON PAIR PERCHED

Lining up for parts as an extra? These two pigeons are seen through a metal staircase as they sit on top of an Alliance Atlantis building on Brunswick Street in downtown Halifax. Looking for all the world like they own the place, eh?

PEELING PAINT ON ABANDONED ISLAND BUILDING

Yet another picture from Georges Island, this peeling white paint shows the age of the building and its state of neglect. Parks Canada hopes to revive the island as a tourist destination, but one wonders if a "perfect" setting without peeling paint and with grass neatly mown would fix our minds to tightly on this era and not Georges Island's era of operation.

PARLIAMENT THROUGH THE GATE

Alone in Canada's capital city for a few hours, SC got close (but not too close) to Parliament Hill. Snow-covered streets went unplowed, but snow doesn't stick to the top of the Peace Tower. Through the old wrought iron fence at the bottom of the hill, with no modern transportation and very soft colour, Ottawa's most famous building appears straight out of the 1920s.

PAINTING HISTORIC BUILDING

Take just one look at the paler colour to see that this historic building was in need of a paint job. It is the strange city lighting at dusk mixed with the contrast of a church steeple, street signs, and workers painting on an evening weekend in a lift that grabs your attention. Come back for another look and you'll notice something new again.

OUTSIDE PROVINCE HOUSE AFTER SNOW

It was on this night that the Christmas Tree at Halifax's Grand Parade was to be lit. Only hours after a late-November storm, temperatures had dropped and standing still at the outdoor concert became difficult. Two blocks down in its own city block sits Province House, surrounded by Granville, Prince, Hollis, and George Street. Rising out of the middle of a parking lot within the Province House grounds is this memorial. To the rear you can see a TD Canada Trust building and the CIBC building on Barrington Street. Plenty of important government officials have their offices in the historic building on the left-hand side. The sky on this night? Unforgettable.

MOON ABOVE REFINERY

Across the Halifax Harbour, past the tip of Georges Island, sits Woodside, home to industrial chic. Most of the glow you see comes from an Imperial Oil/Exxon Mobil refinery that is ghastly and compelling at the same time. Fortunately, the moon takes over and its reflection dominates the photograph.

HORSES AND SHEEP IN MARGAREE VALLEY

At the wedding of a cousin in Margaree Valley, Cape Breton, these horses were probably jealous that they weren't chosen to haul the wagon used by the bride and her parents from the end of the lane. The mountains aren't massive in behind, but tall enough to make for an incredible backdrop to a beautiful wedding.

MICHELIN TIRE AT HARBOUR WHARF

Nothing says "wharf" quite like a bald old tire. This Michelin example isn't as large as some used on the Halifax Waterfront, but surely performs the trick of cushioning the blow of docking. Luxurious mega-yachts frequently pull alongside these downtown Halifax boardwalks in the summer. Old Michelin tires help keep their paint beautiful. Explanations for the strange colour of the water can't be found. It takes a rare combination of sun and cloud to bring out the teal seen here.

THE A. MURRAY MACKAY BRIDGE FROM AFRICVILLE

In part because of construction on the bridge you see in this picture, the land where TC was standing when taking this picture was taken from Africville residents. Each year, Seaview Park hosts a reunion where past residents and their families gather on the grounds of what was once their village. The intense sunset behind the lens is part of what makes this east-bound view of the A. Murray MacKay bridge so alluring.

HAUNTED LT. GOV MANSION

Unlike another Alfresco Photo shot of the Lieutenant Governor's mansion, this picture offers a clear view of the well-lit building from the Hollis Street side. Soaking leaves smother the backyard and the grey sky remains from heavy rains that had just ended. Tell-tale signs of renovation peek out from the top right where a touch of scaffolding peeks over the roof.

LUNENBURG UNDER SAIL

Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is seen from the deck of the Eastern Star. Of course, that white sheet at the top of the image is one of the Eastern Star's sails. Lunenburg's bright colours came about because of its history as a fishing village. Fog was such a prevailing condition that women painted their houses these bright colours so their husbands would cheer up as they entered the harbour and their homes appeared clearly out of the grey.

LT. GOV MANSION THROUGH WROUGHT IRON

From the Hollis Street side of the Lieutenant Governor's mansion in downtown Halifax, everything appears normal. In fact, the current Lt. Gov. hasn't yet lived in the mansion because of extensive renovations. Contractors always leave the lights on. As of the timing of this picture, landscaping hadn't become a priority. Leaves were piling up on the back steps. See a different angle of the mansion in this photo.

HALIFAX THROUGH GEORGES WINDOW

Like many of our favourites, this view of the area near NSCAD and Pier 20 is seen from Georges Island. The rich colour of brick on an abandoned building (from an abandoned and restricted island) reeks of history while the still-developing city rises up behind. Even the tail of a cruise ship makes an appearance.

KEJIMKUJIK SUNSET

Like the photo of a Kejimkujik sunset with two swimmers talking near the shore, this alarming sunset was seen from Jeremy's Bay inside the national park. What's better, the colour of the sky or its reflection upon the warm August waters? Setting the stage for what was to come, this sunset was only the predecessor to a night sky of such clarity that more stars appeared overhead than the Alfresco Photo Duo had ever seen.

INGONISH FERRY TAKE TWO

Looking toward the Ingonish Ferry cottage inhabited by the Alfresco Photo Duo, the camera captures wild reflections on remarkably still ocean waters in Ingonish Harbour. Clouds hung low after heavy rains washed out roads, including the road conquered partially traveled by the Alfresco Photo Duo's rental car.

INGONISH FERRY

This view of Ingonish Harbour from Ingonish Ferry (not an actual boat, but a place) sees the Cabot Trail begin in Ingonish proper to the right and Ski Cape Smokey rising to the left. Clouds hang low and lights reflect perfectly on the still ocean waters.

HE WILL PILOT ME - GEORGES ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE IN FOG

This photo of the Harbour Pilot exiting the fog in front of the Georges Island lighthouse (seen here without the hymn embedded) is an example of what SC can do in photoshop on request. Not all pictures from Alfresco Photo are completely suitable for the addition of text, but more examples will be here in the future to be ordered as is or as guidance for what can be done on special request.

GEORGES LIGHTHOUSE & PILOT BOAT

The Harbour Pilot exits the fog as the Georges Island lighthouse becomes barely visible in the background. Look closely to find the silhouette of the island and the base of the rocks.

GEORGES ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE IN SNOW

Only the second snowfall of the season, thirty centimetres seemed plenty on the mainland. Out in the Halifax Harbour, the unmowed grass of Georges Island couldn't be covered by such middling amounts.

FORT DOOR AT CITADEL HILL

Visits to Citadel Hill usually result in amazement over the stillness of well-dressed soldiers and the star-shaped design of the fort. On the highest level, doors like these remain closed but present a convincing historical perspective of the unattacked Citadel.

FALSE FRONTS

Remember this image. You won't be able to find it on the Halifax waterfront but, for all we know, these false-fronted, western-style buildings will be seen in the next movie you sit down to watch. Forbidden from getting any closer by Wellington Coal Company security  - despite the lack of famous actors, Alfresco Photo managed to get pictures anyhow.

UISGE BAN FALLS

Not far from Baddeck, Nova Scotia, a brief hike to the Uisge Ban Falls is as scenic as the falls themselves. The fast-flowing water is stilled (not distilled) in this lush but rocky picture.

PAPER CHASE

Sitting in front of the Paper Chase newsstand, this contented dog wasn't chasing anything. The lack of conflict between the large furious cat on the side of this building and the demure dog, not able to see the cat from his vantage point, gets funnier each time one views this photograph.

CHILDREN AT GRAND PRE

Thousands of Acadians were deported from Nova Scotia from Grand Pre hundreds of years ago. These children are running inland, away from the deportation sites at water's edge. Although a cool mid-September day, the colours of summer were not in hiding.

AT THE BASE OF THE FORT

This older couple found a private spot (or so they thought) at the base of the fort on Georges Island. Keep in mind, private spots were rare on a day when Haligonians were permitted entry over the span of just two days for the first time in living memory. In this well-protected area, the high winds weren't felt but the warm summer sunshine could still be enjoyed.

CHESTNUTS

In October at the Fort Massey Cemetery on Queen Street, chestnuts sitting in their protective pods are a common sight. Maple leaves are everywhere and the grass remains very green.

SACKVILLE STREET BY NIGHT

Only metres from the harbour, sightlines from Sackville Landing look all the way up Sackville Street, over Water Street; Bedford Row; Hollis Street;Granville Street; Barrington Street; Argyle Street, Grafton Street; and Market Street to the base of Citadel Hill before Sackville Street continues past the Public Gardens. The crazy lights on this May night contrasted nicely with a clear sky - a rare May treat.

CABOT TRAIL

Approaching the end of the Skyline Trail in the Cape Breton Highlands, the Cabot Trail is seen winding around the mountain while, in the distant background, the little town of Cheticamp appears on the horizon. At the top of this peak, the famed Les Suetes winds present genuine danger on what may simply be a breezy day not far away.

BRUNSWICK STREAKER

Just as a hockey game between the Halifax Mooseheads and Chicoutimi Sagueneens was about to begin at the Halifax Metro Centre to the left of this image, traffic was heavy on Brunswick Street in front of The Palace. Just a little extra exposure stretches lights from taxi cabs while the grassy side of Citadel Hill in front of the Old Town Clock is nearly hidden.

GEORGES TO PURDY'S AND THE BRIDGE

This rarely seen northward view of Halifax and the "old bridge" which spans the harbour between Dartmouth and Halifax is from Georges Island. Purdy's Towers are blurred in the background with the Tufts Cove Generating Station seen behind the bridge. Winds were high enough to make ferry docking incredibly difficult and standing firm and upright on the highest point of the island tiring work.

THE BADDECK LIGHTHOUSE

Seen from the roof of a museum honouring Alexander Graham Bell, this lighthouse is seen with fog to the rear just before the clouds began to break and the sun poured down on Baddeck. Hidden to the right is an active beach out in the Bras d'Or Lakes.

AS THE FIRE BURNED

Much of Porters Lake and Lawrencetown was evacuated because of a forest fire, thirty kilometres away atop Citadel Hill, the grayish-red haze that was blowing out past Eastern Passage to the Atlantic was nearly impossible to capture in colour as the sun set behind the lens. This B&W of Georges Island, the Maritime Centre and a container ship leaving Halifax shows the magnitude of smoke.

AFTER THE FILMING

After heavy construction that led to a ship being built beside this parking lot, shooting for the movie Sea Wolf (Neve Campbell) began in this parking lot on the Halifax waterfront. Demolition was a sight to behold behind soaking wet old containers from cargo ships of days gone by. 

KEJIMKUJIK NATIONAL PARK TWO SWIMMERS

Over the span of two days in August of 2008, SC & family witnessed a spectacular sunset and the clearest starry night any of them could recall seeing. Just as darkness was about to fall, SC silhouetted her brother and TC against a sunset at Jeremys Bay.

ST. MARY'S BASILICA ON SPRING GARDEN ROAD

Only minutes in advance of the first winter storm of the '08-'09 season, SC noticed the heavy snow-filled sky through the strees at the Old Burying Ground on Barrington Street. The manicured green grass of the Dalhousie University technical campus contrasts with thirty centimetres of snow that fell over the next 14 hours. St. Mary's Basilica on Spring Garden Road can be seen on the other side of the Old Burying Ground.

TIMBERLEA 24 HRS AFTER STORM

After returning TC's sister-in-law and nephew to their home in the Halifax suburb of Timberlea, the sky was still showing the ferocity of a storm that brought thirty centimetres to the region as clouds fought the sun for dominance behind the trees that give Timberlea its name.