Taylor Head Provincial Park lies between Musquodoboit and Sheet Harbour but on our outings Molly and I had by passed it. The park is contained by a 6 Km peninsula that reaches into the sea edging Spry Bay. So Molly and I headed out to the Peninsula and the loop back home. As is often the case here, it turned into a grand adventure with discovery of delicate plants and sweeping seascapes. That beautiful day of July 27, 2017 introduced me to Sea Beach Groundsel, a species of Dusty Miller that I had not seen before, a small white beauty hugging the sand that I have yet to identify and Jelly Fish—lots and lots of them. I think they are Lions Mane but this novice would not claim to know. I have read that they are most commonly washed to shore this time of year. If any of you can help me I would love to hear from you. We found too, old familiars that I cherish. I first fell in love with Cladina Rangiferina— Reindeer Moss (that is really a Lichen) in Thunder Bay and the diminutive small cranberry that ceaselessly evokes a smile when I come across it.
I have enjoyed the perfume of potpourri many times but I have never experienced the overwhelming perfumes of spruce and roses intermingled and wafting to me through sea salted air!
Molly and I went down old Taylor Road then went to Taylor Park for our tramp of discovery on board walks and beaches —had lunch at Sheet Harbour Henley House Pub And Restaurant at an out door picnic table looking the West River. The only thing better than the view was the food and hospitality. The waitress brought Molly her own bucket of fresh cold water. After feasting on the food views and clear fresh air we then headed out to go around the loop back to Musquodoboit and home. What a day!
On Old Taylor Rd
Lobster trap and Hawkweed. The trap was so huge I wondered if it was ornamental and placed there for newbies like me… or maybe it is a mermaid trap.
Cladina Rangiferina in the sand at Taylor Head
Spruce draped in Usnea close to sea side Taylor Head
Cranberry by the walk
White Sands of Taylor Head
Yellow Hawkweed and Dusty Miller
Lions Mane Jelly Fish?
Jelly fish washing to shore
One of several accessible covered picnic tables
Homeward bound through farms of goats and sheep a cedar sided shake or shingle barn... Generally, a shingle is sawn on both sides and is thinner at the butt than a shake. A shake is typically split on one or both sides. … Shakes are still manufactured by hand, but most are now made using powered equipment.
