2019 in Reflection

This past year has been a busy one with its ups and downs, and various things have kept me from spending much time on this blog - a busy autumn at my day job, home renovations, and writing for Warships IFR magazine have seen to that.

Nevertheless, I found some time to take photos this past year, so I will do my annual retrospective of what I consider to be my best or otherwise most interesting imagery.

I will start with my Naval photography, as that seems to have the most highlights.

USCGC Seneca.

USS Jason Dunham.

In May, we received a visit from the Mexican Navy's training vessel ARM Cuauhtemoc. 

ARM Cuauhtemoc

The first Sunday in May is Battle of the Atlantic Sunday, and as a Trustee with the Canadian Naval Memorial Trust, I made my annual pilgrimage to the waters off Point Pleasant Park onboard an RCN vessel for the committal ceremony. This opportunity is always a great privilege that yields a unique perspective on the burial of veterans at sea, as well as new angles of the comings and goings from Halifax Harbour in general.

Battle of the Atlantic service, 2019.

While the summer was a bit quiet in this regard, September and October more than made up for it. First, the Royal Navy's new aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth paid her first visit to Halifax, and as a contributor for Warships IFR magazine I had the opportunity to fly out to the carrier in a Merlin helicopter and remain onboard as the ship entered the harbour. 

RN Commodore Utley and RCN Rear-Admiral Baines pose on the ski-jump of HMS Queen Elizabeth.

The ship's crew "man the rails" as she enters port.

The entire gallery of images is here. During her visit, I also caught the departure of RMS Queen Mary II.

HMS Queen Elizabeth at anchor in Halifax as RMS Queen Mary II departs.

September's excitement didn't end there, as a week or so later, I was extremely fortunate to experience my second helicopter ride of the month (and only my third in a lifetime) onboard an RCAF CH-148 Cyclone in order to spent a few hours at sea with HMCS Ville de Quebec during Exercise Cutlass Fury.

HMCS Ville de Quebec as seen from a Cyclone helicopter.

HMCS Fredericton stalks a "vessel of interest" (in this case, Leeway Odyssey) while her RHIB approaches with a boarding party.

RCAF Cyclone helicopter on the deck of Ville de Quebec.

Cutlass Fury provided some imagery around Halifax Harbour as well, and I was able to catch various comings and goings. The gallery is here.

Having previously written about the 1969 gearbox explosion in HMCS Kootenay, I was exceptionally aware that the 50th anniversary was approaching on October 23rd. Upon finding out that one of my fellow CNMT trustees was a survivor of this event, I asked if he was willing to be interviewed about his experience - he was, and I was able to weave his recollections into my existing text and turn it into a two-part article that appeared in the September and October issues of Warships IFR magazine. On October 23rd, the event was recognized with a service at the Bonaventure anchor memorial in Point Pleasant Park.

Rear-Admiral Baines places a wreath at the anchor memorial.

The chain from the refurbished anchor memorial extends into the waters of Halifax Harbour.

Not all my photography was aimed at Naval subjects this year - I also took a few photos of the Coast Guard, and one of my favourite sequences is of the arrival at dawn of CCGS Louis S St. Laurent back in April.

CCGS Louis S. St. Laurent entering Halifax Harbour.

I will end this post with random photos from my other ramblings during 2019.

West Ironbound Island as seen from Gaff Point.

A fallen tree reflected in the waters of the LaHave River.

A wharf reflected on a foggy LaHave River.

A peaceful scene on the waterfront in Lunenburg.

A still at the Ironworks Distillery in Lunenburg.

Blue Rocks, NS.

Ice sculpting in downtown Dartmouth in February 2019.

Ominous clouds approach Halifax from the south, as seen from the ferry.

George's Island receives a ray of sunlight against a dark background.

A tower crane on the waterfront reflected on the surface of the harbour.

Ripples in the sand.

Harbour seal.

Woodpecker set against fall colours.

Trees reflected on the ice of a water hazard in the Brightwood Golf Course.

To close out this post, here are some photos from the 2019 edition of Nocturne - Art at Night.

Street art near Pizza Corner.

An art installation in Public Gardens.

Next to the Central Library, there was a temporary photo booth set up....

...and it projected the photos onto a nearby building.

As well, Incendia Motus put on another show by the Maritime Centre.

Oh, OK - one more photo. The Dartmouth Tree Lighting fireworks at Alderney, fired from a barge on the harbour, make for some interesting visuals with the Halifax skyline as a backdrop.

Here's hoping everyone has a successful year in 2020. Personally, apart from some highlights, I am happy to see the end of 2019.