Ken Bell Photography - Kincardine Gallery

Kincardine and Point Clark Ontario

This August I spent a week in and around Kincardine Ontario, where I was born. I love returning to this area of Ontario to experience Lake Huron, walk along the beaches, see the lighthouses and marina, and just enjoy the beautiful houses and old buildings. I always make a point of going to Station Beach, beside the marina. It is a popular beach where you can swim, suntan, parasail, or play volleyball. A short ten minute walk from the beach will bring you to stately houses along side streets that often exhibit incredible gardens.

      Parasailing           Station Beach      Beach volleyball       Building detail         Garden 1

I have a fondness for light houses. They are sentinels from the past, much like the slowly disappearing grain elevators on the prairies. There are two excellent light houses in the area, one beside the marina in Kincardine and the other further south along the coast at Point Clark. We stayed at a cottage near Point Clark and we would walk along the beach to go view it or to simply watch seagulls patrolling along the shoreline. I loved walking along the beach in the morning, watching the patterns formed in the sand as the waves washed gently over then receded. It was so tranquil that I could have just stood and watched for hours, not a care in the world.

       Garden 2            Sand abstract            Shoreline              Sea grass           Historic site

Of course sunset is probably the best time of day to be near the water. As the sun starts to set in Kincardine, a lone piper will climb the stairs of the lighthouse, coming out onto the landing at the top. As the sun begins to set the piper will start playing and will continue till the sun goes down. It is totally enchanting to watch an incredible sunset develop in front of you while listening to the skirl of the pipes. This tradition has gone on for years, starting with a time when a sail boat was fighting a storm at night and could not find shelter. Although he could not see the captain could here the sound of bagpipes, and finally he made his way into the harbour and found shelter. From that time on the tradition has carried on. If you ever get the opportunity to visit Kincardine, take in the setting of the sun at the harbour and it is an experience you will never forget.

1880 lighthouse  Lighthouse sunset   Marina sunset        Blazing sunset          Afterglow

Back to Galleries