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Season of Bounty Season of Bounty

The Maritimes

An open brief for a National Geographic photographer to visit one of the most iconic and enigmatic parts of Canada during the Season of Bounty? That’s exactly what happened when Destination Canada and Matthieu Paley came together to capture images of the Maritimes – specifically Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. While he can normally be found traversing some of the world’s most remote places, Matthieu took the chance to dive into more of his personal passions for local flavors and how they are sourced.

A Photographer’s Journey

Matthieu’s journey around Nova Scotia and New Brunswick took him from the rugged coastline of Cape Breton in the east through to the lush landscapes of Metepenagiag in the west. On his travels he discovered some fascinating stories:

Early morning lobster catching – the right way
Learning how to fly fish in the Miramichi River
Getting caught in a Hurricane in Cape Enrage

Exploring The Maritimes

A snapshot of Matthieu’s assignment. Click an image to find out more.

Audio From Matthieu Paley

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Watching Pilot Whales at Bay of St. Lawrence

On Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia, Scottish heritage and maritime traditions are intertwined in everyday life. Dingwall originally began as a fishing village, perfectly placed on the Atlantic coast to fish for cod, haddock, and lobster. As this maritime tradition continues, tourists visit to immerse themselves in the ways of the sea and enjoy the stunning coastal scenery, hiking trails, and access the picturesque Cape Breton Highlands National Park.

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Watching Pilot Whales at Bay of St Lawrence

Long-finned pilot whales are plentiful in the Bay of Saint Lawrence, especially at the top of Cape Breton Island along Nova Scotia’s northern coastline. The bay is a feeding ground for the whales (which are actually a large species of the dolphin family), as well as white-sided dolphins, baleen whales like minke and humpback, and other wildlife like gray seals and bald eagles.

Audio From Matthieu Paley

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Hike the Highland Festival, Aspy Bay, Cape Breton

As fall arrives in Nova Scotia it brings with it the Hike the Highland Festival—a 10-day walking event on the world-renowned Cabot Trail and Northern Cape Breton. Guided hikes, awards, bonfires, photo competitions, and more bring hikers from around the world to explore the countless trails in the area, offering spectacular views along with opportunities for adventure and connection.

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Landing in Nova Scotia

In 1773, 189 Scottish immigrants arrived on the shores of Pictou in what would become Nova Scotia (Latin for “New Scotland”) on board the Hector, arguably the most famous of all the ships bringing Highlanders to Canada. Today, a replica of the Hector is open for visitors to explore in Hector Heritage Quay, and on September 15th, 2023, it became the centerpiece of community celebrations for the 250th anniversary of the original ship landing.

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Ned Tobin and His Red Spruce Farm

Moving away from monoculture farming is key for encouraging biodiversity. Here at Red Spruce Farm, apple orchards, barns filled with chickens, and more can now be found where once stood only a corn field. Practices like encouraging microflora, pasture rotation, using organic fertilizer created by worms, and heirloom seeds, all come together with the introduction of Highland cows and Berkshire pigs to create a healthier, more productive landscape.

Audio From Matthieu Paley

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A Decoy Bird of Prey Protects a Grape Harvest

Just off the scenic Sunrise Trail along the Northumberland Strait coast of Nova Scotia, Jost Vineyards boasts more than a hundred acres of grape vines and headlands. The longest operating winery in Nova Scotia, Jost is an example of the region’s rich history with winemaking. Grapes have been grown in Nova Scotia since the 1600s, despite the region’s mix of soil types and temperatures. High tides, a mix of sandstone and slate soil, and plentiful supplies of water actually contribute well to a unique yet ideal climate for viticulture.

Audio From Matthieu Paley

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A Day Off The Coast of Cap-Pelé with Lobster Fishermen

Long before the first Europeans arrived in the Maritimes, the Mi’kmaq people had been fishing the seas for lobster. Known as Wolum Keeh to the Mi’kmaq, these delicious crustaceans were bountiful, and today their numbers are carefully managed. While lobster numbers around the coast are stable, thanks to measures such as only keeping lobsters of a certain size and throwing back spawning “eggers,” climate change and warming oceans could still become a threat. For now, though, multiple generations of lobster fishers still work long hours catching the world-famous delicacy responsibly.

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Gampo Abbey Buddhist Monastery, Near Pleasant Bay

As lobster season draws to a close each year, Gampo Abbey’s monastic and lay community purchase the last catch of lobsters from one of Pleasant Bay’s fishers and release them back into the water. This “life release” is a traditional practice for Tibetan Buddhists and establishes an important link with local environment and culture.

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Bay of Fundy Tidal Range

Every day, more than 160 billion tons of seawater flow in and out of the Bay of Fundy, firmly placing the area in the Guinness World Records for the highest tides. At low tide, you can visit Burntcoat Head Park and explore the ocean floor, looking for fossils or exploring nearby caves. But only six hours later, that same walkway will be covered in up to nearly 54 feet of water, giving you an entirely new panorama. Around the edge are lighthouses, picnic spots, and scenic views.

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A Stunt Man Practices Jumps at Hopewell Rocks

Twenty sea stacks of rock stand guard along just over a mile of shoreline in Hopewell Cape, New Brunswick. For millennia, the massive tides of the Bay of Fundy have carved the cliffs into these evocative shapes, known as flowerpots. Over time they’ve been given nicknames based on what their rough form resembles—Elephant, Bear, Dinosaur, ET, and Mother-in-law.

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Views Over the Sea at Cape Enrage

Named after the turbulent waters that pass over its reef, Cape Enrage offers the most spectacular views of the Bay of Fundy’s impressive tide. The lighthouse here was built around 1840, it’s light and foghorn still operational to this day. Photographed during a hurricane, Matthieu Paley avoided the harsh weather by retiring for craft beer with new friends at Holy Whale Brewery in nearby Alma, home of the headquarters of the Fundy National Park; along with plentiful seafood eateries and an annual chowder festival.

Audio From Matthieu Paley

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Stephen Paul Fishes in the Miramichi River

In Metepenagiag, a village site in New Brunswick, recent archaeological work confirmed that the area has had over 3,000 years of continuous human settlement. The Mi’kmaq people have likely lived here even longer than that, making them the oldest continuously settled community in the province—fishing, hunting, raising their children, and celebrating every new season with reverence and respect.

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Foraging For Mint and Rosehips

The Mi’kmaq are closely connected with nature, living in harmony with the land. They eat fiddleheads (the young fronds of ostrich ferns), raspberries, and blueberries. Their ancestors crafted canoes and containers from birchbark, as well as mats from reeds and rushes. The bloodroot plant provided dye. Balsam fir helped wounds to heal. Sweetgrass and tobacco are still used today in ceremonies, and teaberries and mint can still be found in locally made infusions.

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Indigenous Hospitality at Metepenagiag

Today, visitors can experience life at the Metepenagiag Heritage Park, home to the Mi'kmaq people. A wealth of experiences awaits visitors—from culinary fishing experiences to nature viewing walks to snowshoeing across the winter landscape. At night, weary travelers can sleep in the newly built Redbank Lodge to the sound of the Miramichi River flowing.