Nō Ka 'Oi Drone Guys

Opened in December 1853, the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception, with a 230’ spire, overlooks Saint John, New Brunswick.

Managed to get back out to a few lighthouses this week while doing some photo shoot work for a Nova Scotia craft beer company. Took the drone with me both times, with the hopes of putting it up to capture some new images, however on both days the winds were much too gusty. However, thought you’d be interested in seeing these still shots.

Cheers, everyone!

The is continuing...

Officially certified & licensed...

Time to finally get back at it.

As promised, here’s the scoop:

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Like life in general, the Nova Scotia Lighthouse Project has been full of ups and downs, mixed in with some speed bumps, U-turns and empty fuel tanks. Though the endeavour has been fraught with a variety of unanticipated impediments, our commitment is made to the ideology that the “show must go on”.

Let me provide you with an update.

Once I managed to get through my nasty bout with endocarditis and then, just a few months later, open heart surgery, the project kicked into high gear as Cory and I made our way around the province. With a reasonably steady pace, we successfully captured lighthouse after lighthouse along the coastlines. Add in some appearances within news broadcasts in traditional print and online, as well as on radio and television, the project was in high gear. We were pleased with the progress, astonished by the attention and humbled by the support.

With almost every lighthouse on the mainland captured, focus was turned to the offshore lights. Since we have never accepted financial backing – hence personal savings have funded the project – and we failed to obtain sufficient volunteer services to get us to every island beacon, we were forced to consider altering the terms of this hobby project. After discussions with a dear friend about the potential change in course, we received some advice: crowd funding to raise money needed for fuel, hotels and the like so that we could finish what we started.

Shortly thereafter, we encountered a string of mishaps, missed opportunities and bad luck.

It began when I tried to post a lighthouse photo on social media as thanks for a local society donating funds to our cause. I plugged the external hard drive into the laptop and clicked the icon to open the folders. The hard drive responded with a peculiar series of noises and on-screen error messages. It was immediately ejected and, over the next several weeks, examined by several computer repair technicians. Each tech ultimately provided the same devastating message: the hard drive had a complete failure, resulting in the retrieval of absolutely no data.

Not only were photos and videos of several recent lighthouse captures now lost, but so were important family pictures, including the graduation ceremonies of my eldest child. I was devastated. My creative spark was ultimately impacted so much that I put the camera and the drone away for a while.

The crowd funding support from people throughout the province, around the country and even internationally, continued until the holiday season, at which point we decided to scale things back a bit until later into the new year. We had reached the halfway point of our goal, and felt it only proper to get ourselves out on the water, put the drone up in the air, and start capturing lighthouses again. That is, until I received a phone call.

The representative of a government agency (which herein will remain unnamed) on the other line of the phone advised they received notifications regarding the . Apparently, some person(s) had taken offence to the project, claiming it to be a commercial venture rather than merely a hobby, and hence issued a complaint(s). The verdict: since we had accepted money via crowd funding, the project transitioned from pastime to business. Though I argued otherwise – since not a photo was sold, not a dollar was taken for video footage, not a scrap of the project was beyond a true hobby, and that money raised was to help with getting us to locations, as opposed to fund the use of the drone – I was told that if I had captured any footage for the with a drone since accepting crowd funding, I would be in violation of the regulations and could be fined. Luckily, due of the loss of artistic passion after the hard drive crash, the drone had not been in the air.

With the loss of some lighthouse captures due to the external drive failure, the project no longer being accepted as a hobby according to the governing agency, and the stall in support to move beyond the halfway point of the crowd funding goal, a hiatus was necessary to problem solve. Not to halt the project, but rather to reassess and determine the best path to complete the venture while adhering to all regulations. As such, the past several months have been spent giving consideration to alternate methods of capturing the remaining lighthouses, as well as acquiring and testing equipment that could potentially allow me to still complete the task.

Then, just a couple of weeks ago, a spark of light at the end of the tunnel had finally begun to flicker. Newly proposed rules and regulations were announced pertaining to the use of drones, which appear to have a positive impact on the . Without inundating the reader amid technical jargon and legal wording, these changes could allow me to complete the venture with its initial intention: capture every lighthouse in Nova Scotia via drone. Though it still remains unconfirmed, as the final regulations have yet to be published in the Canada Gazette Part II 2018, our string of bad luck seems to be finally coming to a conclusion.

To meet the preferred level of the new regulations, I am currently working towards the purchase of a new, much smaller, drone that would complete the captures at the same degree of expected viewing quality.

We are committed to seeing this project through to its end. We have 28 beacons remaining to film, as well as another 10 that must be recaptured due to the loss of data from the hard drive failure. We are devoted to providing the time, planning, effort and travel to get every single one.

Put your name on history. Let’s complete this together. Visit: https://ca.gofundme.com/nslighthouseproject

Click here to support #NSLighthouseProject Completion organized by Larry Peyton The goal of the is to obtain video footage, via drone, of every lighthouse in the province and globally share the videos we produce from the footage. (Aerial shot of Cape Sable Lighthouse, the tallest in NS.) Through the project we hope to bring awareness to their condition a...

So what has been happening with the ? Have there been any more captures? What have we been doing?

Tomorrow we will share details that we've not made public... but we feel it's time you all got the inside scoop.

Get ready for a bit of a read... one that will have you better understand the trials and tribulations, as well as the outlook.

Stay tuned!

: Black Rock Point, near Big Bras d'Or, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.

For all of you who have been wondering, please know this: the Nova Scotia Lighthouse Project is NOT dead; it has just been on a hiatus due to a number of impediments. But like any other hiatus, it is only temporary... things will soon be gearing back up.

Do we still have your support to finish this project? We're hoping so.

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Tags: Nova Scotia Nova Scotia Webcams Nova Scotia Government Cape Breton Post Cape Breton Island Nova Scotia Lighthouse Preservation Society

Quick stop at Gilbert’s Cove Lighthouse, Digby County...

Tags: Nova Scotia Lighthouse Preservation Society Gilberts Cove, Nova Scotia Digby County

Happy Canada Day!

Looking forward to sharing some news about us, the & our future. Stay tuned! We’re starting to get busy again.

Larry was quite happy to have the opportunity to meet Rip Irwin, the original NS lighthouse project purveyor, at the Nova Scotia Lighthouse Preservation Society’s annual general meeting.

It took Mr. Irwin eight (8) years to visit & photograph every beacon in the province. His journey resulted in publishing the holy grail for lighthouse enthusiasts within this province.

Needless to say, it was an honour to learn that our is being followed by Mr. Irwin, who shared some fantastic words of compliment regarding our venture & footage.

The one. The only. Sambro Island Lighthouse.

Amazing photo shot by my good friend, Cory Hugh.

(Tags: Nova Scotia Nova Scotia Webcams Sambro Island Lighthouse Heritage Society Canada Nova Scotia Lighthouse Preservation Society)

Please join us at the TB Fire Hall this Tuesday at 7pm!

Our Nova Scotia lighthouse family lost a passionate, beautiful, caring woman who stood tall for her beloved Low Point and was a huge supporter of our .

We are very saddened by the sudden passing of Debbie Lee Pearson. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family, friends, colleagues and fellow lighthouse society members during this difficult time. There is no doubt in our minds the light at Low Point will continue to shine, for its guardian is now its guardian angel.

(Low Point Lighthouse Society)

The crowdfunding campaign for the is getting back into full swing after intentionally giving it a hiatus during the winter season. At just past the halfway point of the goal, I’m hoping more people realize the value of the images and videos I produce, and help out by donating to the cause.

Though I would certainly like to reach all 28 remaining beacons for completion of the venture, I am dependent upon cooperative weather, a friendly North Atlantic ocean, availability from work and family commitments, and assistance from others. With fingers crossed, I will be focusing my Springtime efforts on capturing the remaining offshore lights along the Southern Shore, from Shelburne County up to the Halifax Regional Municipality. These lighthouses include Seal Island, Cape Roseway, Gull Rock (Lockeport), Port Mouton, Coffin Island, Cross Island, Kaulback Island, East Ironbound Island, Pearl Island, Betty Island and Beaver Island.

Hopefully the crowdfunding campaign will be reinvigorated, as I will need additional funds beyond what has been currently raised in order to capture the remaining 15 offshore lighthouses in Pictou County, Guysborough County and Cape Breton. Please consider becoming involved and joining the cause by donating, spreading the word and sharing the videos and photos from the .

And to all those who have helped to date, please accept my most sincere appreciation. I am humbled by your love of this project, your passion for our lighthouses, and your generousity; without you, I would not be able to capture every beacon in this province and share the footage, at no commercial gain, for all to enjoy.

GoFundMe.com/NSLighthouseProject

Larry Peyton
Nō Ka ‘Oi Drone Guys


(Tags: Nova Scotia Webcams Nova Scotia Cape Breton Island Brier Island-Westport, Nova Scotia Save the Sambro Island Lighthouse Sambro Island Lighthouse Heritage Society Heritage Trust of Nova Scotia Canada Cape Breton Post )

Larry was interviewed today by Emily Baron Cadloff of CTV News about preservation of this province’s beacons and our ... story planned for airing during the middle of next week.

The interview was conducted beside Terence Bay Lighthouse... Larry snapped this shot just before the interview. Hope you like.

(Tags: Nova Scotia Lighthouse Preservation Society Terence Bay, Nova Scotia Terence Bay Lighthouse Halifax, Nova Scotia Nova Scotia Nova Scotia Webcams)

: Low Point Lighthouse, New Victoria, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. I snapped this shot back in the Autumn at sunset... an absolutely gorgeous lighthouse.

(Tags: Nova Scotia Nova Scotia Webcams Nova Scotia Lighthouse Preservation Society East Coast Lifestyle Low Point Lighthouse Cape Breton Island Cape Breton Regional Municipality)

mini DOCUMENTARY on Larry Peyton and the #NSLighthouseProject Our good friend Larry Peyton has been working on the for months. Last time Max was in Nova Scotia he had a chance to talk with Larry abo...

Halifax-area man fundraising to finish Nova Scotia lighthouse project

Pick up today’s free copy of Metro Halifax newspaper to see the new story published about our !

(Tags: Sambro Island Lighthouse Heritage Society Nova Scotia Lighthouse Preservation Society Nova Scotia Nova Scotia Webcams Friends of the Cape Sable Lighthouse Brier Island Light & Alarm - AKA Western Light Low Point Lighthouse Society)

http://m.metronews.ca/ #/article/news/halifax/2018/01/07/halifax-area-man-fundraising-to-finish-nova-scotia-lighthouse-project.html

Metro News

The true story of a Christmas at Gannet Rock Lighthouse, in the Bay of Fundy, when “Santa” showed up and conversed on the VHF radio.

Narrated by the one & only Chris Mills, a lighthouse keeper present during the event, who later was a founding member of the Nova Scotia Lighthouse Preservation Society, authored two fantastic books on lighthouses & keepers in Nova Scotia, and for whom I have a great deal of respect.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=bCYnGlJC4_w

Christmas at Gannet Rock NB, Canada

Larry’s shot of Cape d’Or Lighthouse...

"A Nova Scotian's Heaven"

Cape d'Or Lighthouse as it is being watched over by the Bay of Fundy and a divine sky.

(Tags: Nova Scotia Nova Scotia Webcams Advocate Harbour, Nova Scotia The Lighthouse on Cape d'Or Nova Scotia Lighthouse Preservation Society)

Tickled pink to send out a HUGE THANK YOU to Diane Livingston, who donated the full amount needed to push us to the halfway mark of our crowdfunding campaign! Super cool of you, Diane... your support and generosity are truly appreciated.

GoFundMe.com/NSLighthouseProject

Is there any chance we can anchor-down to the halfway point of our crowdfunding campaign before December begins?

We are just $115 shy of hitting the mid-mark!

Can some people step up to bring us over the mountain top?

GoFundMe.com/NSLighthouseProject

( Nova Scotia Lighthouse Preservation Society CBC Nova Scotia)

Here’s something many of you may not know: at the April 2017 AGM of the Nova Scotia Lighthouse Preservation Society (NSLPS), we received the prestigious “Craig Harding Award” for our . It has been one of our proudest, most honourable moments yet.

Help us finish by getting the last 26 offshore beacons: GoFundMe.com/NSLighthouseProject

We are $115 from reaching the halfway mark.
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From the NSLPS website: “This award, established by NSLPS in 2002, honours one of Nova Scotia's biggest supporters of lighthouses. Craig Harding fought long and hard to save the historic Cape Forchu lighthouse in Yarmouth, but lost his battle with cancer just a few months after the municipality officially took possession of the lighthouse.

Craig's passion, tenacity and dedication showed that Nova Scotia lighthouses can be saved. In his honour and as a permanent "Thank you!" the Nova Scotia Lighthouse Preservation Society Awards the "Craig Harding Award," annually at the Annual General Meeting, to a group or individual who has made an outstanding contribution to saving Nova Scotia's lighthouses. The award consists of an engraved pewter plaque specially created by Amos Pewter for the Society.

2017: Larry Peyton and Cory Webb who are currently creating free online videos of NS Lighthouses using a drone and accompanying musical soundtrack. As of April 26, 2017 they have filmed 107 lighthouses and have 50 more to do.”

Sending out huge thanks to the Keepers of the Baccaro Light for their generous $100 donation to our crowdfunding campaign to help us complete the .

Thank you all so very, very much! We are now almost at the halfway point of our goal.

It's amazing that both the Friends of the Cape Sable Light & the Keepers of the Baccaro Light have reached out and helped us. Just amazing people within those Shelburne County lighthouse groups!

GoFundMe.com/NSLighthouseProject

(Tags: Baccaro Point Nova Scotia Lighthouse Preservation Society Friends of the Cape Sable Lighthouse)