Newfoundland, Gros Morne, L'Anse aux Meadows (Travel Suggestions)

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Newfoundland, Gros Morne, L'Anse aux Meadows (Travel Suggestions)

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Started 2 years ago by elvishefer
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elvishefer

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I will be travelling to Newfoundland and the UNESCO Heritage Sites Gros Morne National Park and L'Anse aux Meadows for a week in early June. The trip is all about photography; specifically I'm hoping to capture ice bergs, landscapes and rugged fjords. (My buddy and I could not afford a trip to Iceland or Greenland ;)

I think we're riding the cusp of the beginning of black fly season, and we're hoping they won't be too bad. We're also hoping to take a boat tour or two to get out on the water for a better perspective on ice bergs, if they're around. I think we're too early for reliable whale sightings.

I'd be interested in suggestions for good photography spots, good restaurants, angry crazy people to avoid, etc. from the Nikon Rumors crew, and any other tips!

(I've seen the photos in the old locked Photo a Day thread, and they looked great).

Thank you,
Jeremy

Posted 2 years ago #
PB PM

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No tips on places to eat/stay in Gros Morne, since I haven't been there in 13 years, but it is a great place to go. Didn't get to take nearly as many photos as I would have liked, since I was shooting film at the time. Fly's weren't bad when we were there in July 1998, so you might be fine. Mosquitoes on the other hand...

A few places stick out in my mind from my visit there though. Trout Lake is nice, and has lovely sunsets in the summer. Also, take the boat tour on Western Brook Pond if you get a chance. It can be a little rough if it's windy, but still a nice ride if you get the right light.

As for L'Anse aux Meadows, there are so many places to stop and take photos it's not even funny. Once you are in the northern parts of Newfoundland everything is small and quaint.

Posted 2 years ago #
Pierre

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If you intend to climb the Gros Morne, you better be in good shape and well prepared, especially so early in the season. You start almost at sea level. Here is a view standing on the west side of the mountain.

The south part of the province is quite scenic as well. A week is not a lot of time, the place is huge. You will be in quite rugged and empty areas so not sure you can be picky about restaurants or places to stay. There are a few good B&B, if in season.
Forgot where these are:

Posted 2 years ago #
donaldejose

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I was there many years ago; camping most of the time. There are a lot of gray sky up there and short trees and naked hills. I didn't find it very photogenic.

Posted 2 years ago #
elvishefer

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donaldejose said:
I didn't find it very photogenic.

:D I like a challenge!

I would love to have a month or so to wander around and get to know the place better but unfortunately due to work constraints I can only spare the week. It's going to be fast and furious, and we know we're going to have to be really organized to get the most out of it. Organized and lucky, I guess, with weather, ice bergs, whales, etc. Really hoping we don't strike out.

Thanks guys!

Posted 2 years ago #
PAG

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If it interests you at all, I'd suggest bringing a long lens for bird photography, especially if you're going out onto the water. The seabirds should be fantastic.

Posted 2 years ago #
Newfie

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Whales - Early June is not the best time to see them. They usually show up in numbers around the last week in June. Go to St. Anthony ( a short diversion) and take one of the whale tours (very busy). Last year was remarkable. Humpbacks, Minke, Orca and tonnes of Dolphins. Tip: Early morning is the best time to see them. Bring at least a 200mm.

Icebergs - not supposed to be a great year for icebergs but if there are any they will be there. The only way to get a decent shot is from one of the whale tour boats. A wide - to short-tele would be best. Bring a warm water resistant jacket. Can still be cold here in June, especially on the water.

Gros Morne is beautiful. Take one of the fjord tours..... remarkable!!! Watch carefully for moose, caribou and black bear, they are everywhere. Don't drive at night...trust me on this. Rocky Harbour is the place to stay. Try the Harbour View hotel. One of the better options but it fills up quickly so book now!!

L'Anse aux Meadows is really getting out there but worth the efford. It's the site of a Viking settlement. Beautiful area. Bring a wide angle + a flash.

Try the Norseman Restaurant....its high end but listed as one of the best in Canada. You will love it. Should cost between $120 and $150 for dinner for two including drinks but it really is worth every penny. Make a reservation at least a few day ahead of time.

If you are looking for a great place to stay check out the Tuckamore Lodge. Fantastic!

One other thing. If you are into art (whale bone and stone carvings) check out Raleigh, a great little town (scenery wise)

Hope this helps. Enjoy your visit.

Posted 2 years ago #
donaldejose

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By it being gray and not very photogenic I mean it is sort of barren. You will not have many tall trees for height to use in compositions. You will have to compose nature scenes with rocks, bushes, short trees, bays, and hills (rounded not like the pointed Canadian Rockies" and there seems to be a lot of humidity in the air creating a grey fog over distance. When you get up on top of a mountain (or hill - I was on top of Gros Morne) you will find yourself in plants not more than about 6 inches tall: tundra. But I do remember some nice blue days so you may have a week of good weather. I remember blooming fireweed plants adding color to the otherwise gray and light green landscapes. I remember having a hard time finding Venus flytraps until I realized they were about 10 times smaller than I had thought and really needed a macro lens to photograph well. I remember small fishing boats adding color to harbors. I remember small villages by the sea of square houses with no real landscaping or trees around them. They may be picturesque to many but to me they looked sad and bleak. I would get very depressed living through a winter in one of those small villages. I expected it to be exotic but perhaps it just isn't to my taste.

Posted 2 years ago #
PB PM

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donaldejose, what you talked about in those last two sentences is why every Newfoundlander I know left the island.

Posted 2 years ago #
elvishefer

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@Newfie - thanks for the great insights. Very much looking forward to my trip!!!

@donaldjose - I understand what you mean. I'm looking forward to trying some wide-angle stuff to play up the sad and bleak where appropriate.

It's definitely one thing to visit a place and another to live there. It's like as a farm boy I grew up wanting to get out ASAP; now, there are days when I'd love to go back.

Posted 2 years ago #
Funduro

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I rode round Cape Breton Island and the weather varies from sea level to the mountain passes, also east and west sides of the island. Bring rain gear for both you and your gear. I still have vivid memories of the desolate landscape and the terrific views of the ocean, rock out cropping and green forest's. The ferry from Portland,Maine to Nova Scotia was absolutely horrible because of a storm tossed ocean. I basically learn what they mean by maritime weather big time. BTW I did it on a motorcycle. It was so bad the Nikon hardly got unwrapped, shot less then a roll of 36 slides. Had a great time no matter how wet I got. Good luck on your journey, send pictures.;-)

Posted 2 years ago #
lauzobe

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Get Screeched!!!

Posted 2 years ago #
donaldejose

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We all look forward to hearing about your experience. Difficulties sometimes yield terrific photos; so don't be discouraged about what some of us have said. I found color in boats, houses and wildflowers even when I found the landscape often bleak.

Posted 2 years ago #
elvishefer

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My trip was last week and I had an awesome time, and I wanted to again thank you all for your insights - it helped prepare me for the experience.

It's tough to sum up my trip in a few words, but I think most of all I was unprepared for how beautiful it was. We had great weather, with only two days of rain out of 10. I saw two mosquitoes and five black flies the entire trip. Saw an amazing iceberg while on a tour in a fog. No whales, but I wasn't really expecting any, as per your advice. The people were great, the food a bit tricky (I'm trying to eat healthier these days, and there was a lot of deep frying, which I enjoyed far too much). Encountered 24 moose, and one very fresh moose road kill. The landscape was rugged, harsh and stunning with Spring promise.

Photos? Still transferring to my workstation! ;) Had some winners, missed a few and 10 days was *definitely* not enough time. We found some good locations but lacked an awareness of timing, lighting and weather that can only come with time (and luck). Shot with the Tokina 11-16 f/2.8, 50 f/1.4 and 70-200 f/2.8. Sometimes, especially when on boat tours, I found myself wanting a solid mid-zoom. But that being said if I had one, lens changing would be required and there was a lot of wet in the air to make that hazardous. I shot video for the first time, too. I'm very bad at it, but I like having the record. I'll be sure to post a few pics to the PAD thread once I get sorted and edit.

I have nothing but positive recommendations for the place, and for when we went.

Absolutely awesome!!!

Posted 1 year ago #
NikoDoby

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Please post some photos to this thread when you're ready.

Posted 1 year ago #

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Newfoundland, Gros Morne, L'Anse aux Meadows (Travel Suggestions)

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