33 Days on the Road and Counting

Thirty-three days. Thousands of kilometers. Countless photographs. More memories than I can possibly fit into one blog post.

Over the past month, I've had the pleasure of guiding and photographing with wonderful guests from around the world. People from different countries and walks of life, all brought together by a shared love of photography and a desire to experience Newfoundland and Labrador. It has been a privilege to show each group a small glimpse of this incredible province that I call home.

Together we've explored some truly remarkable places. From the colourful streets of St. John's and Quidi Vidi to the rugged coastlines of Pouch Cove, Flat Rock, Petty Harbour, Bay Bulls and Witless Bay. We've wandered the communities of Branch, Placentia and St. Bride's, spent time around Clarke's Beach and Harbour Grace, and ventured east to Bonavista, Elliston, Maberly, Red Cliff, Tickle Cove, Open Hall, Stock Cove and Newman's Cove.

The road has also taken us through Clarenville, Salvage and Eastport before heading north to Twillingate, Moreton's Harbour, Valley Pond and Durrell. We've even found ourselves photographing around Dildo and countless other communities along the way. Every bend in the road seems to reveal another breathtaking view, another story, and another reminder of why Newfoundland and Labrador is such a special place.

Of course, no Newfoundland adventure would be complete without the wildlife, and this season has certainly delivered.

We've photographed puffins, murres, razorbills and gannets. We've watched whales feeding offshore and enjoyed more than a few unforgettable encounters with foxes. One of the most memorable moments came at the puffin colony in Elliston. As we stood watching the birds coming and going from the cliffs, a fox suddenly appeared and made a daring attempt to snatch a puffin right from the edge. It was over in seconds, but the excitement and surprise on everyone's faces made it one of those moments none of us will soon forget.

Some of the best wildlife experiences, though, have been the ones we never planned for.

There have been moose casually crossing the road in front of us, owls appearing in places we least expected, and one particularly memorable encounter with a lone caribou quietly grazing just a few metres away. Moments like these are impossible to schedule, and perhaps that's what makes them so special. Nature always seems to have a way of reminding us that the best experiences are often the ones we never see coming.

And then there were the icebergs.

Chasing these ancient giants across the North Atlantic has been one of the highlights of the season. Few experiences compare to heading out on a Zodiac with the fantastic crew at Discovery Sea Adventures, weaving among towering bergs that have spent thousands of years in their creation before making their way south. Every iceberg has its own character, and every outing brings a sense of excitement and wonder that never seems to fade.

For many of our guests, seeing an iceberg for the first time is something they've dreamed about for years. To witness that excitement firsthand, and then to be able to photograph these incredible giants up close, is an experience that never gets old.

Of course, all that travelling and photography works up an appetite.

Thankfully, Newfoundland's hospitality extends to the dinner table. Over the past 33 days we've enjoyed some outstanding meals at Chafe's Landing, Annie's, Georgie's, Mifflin's Tea Room and Skipper's. Great food, great company, and plenty of stories shared around the table have become just as much a part of the experience as the photography itself.

Now, after a much-needed two-day break, I'm back on the road again. The schedule ahead is still busy, but with a few longer breaks between tours, I should finally have the opportunity to sit down and share more stories, photographs, and behind-the-scenes moments here on the blog.

Thirty-three days down, many more adventures ahead.

For all the miles travelled and all the photographs captured, what I'll remember most are the people I've met and the countless unexpected moments we've shared together. That's the magic of Newfoundland and Labrador. You can plan the route, but you never really know what waits around the next bend.

And that's exactly what keeps us coming back.

This is why I love working with Newfoundland Photo Tours.

It's never just about the photographs. It's about sharing this amazing province with people from around the world, watching them experience Newfoundland and Labrador for the first time, and creating memories together that will last long after the trip is over.

Thirty-three days in, I still feel incredibly fortunate to do what I do, and I'm looking forward to seeing what the rest of the season has in store.

Stay tuned.

There are many more stories still to tell.

 

Newfoundland Photo Tours