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Friday 21 April 2017

A walk at low tide

It was a glorious spring morning as my husband and I headed for a walk along the boardwalk by the bay in Summerside, Prince Edward Island. While it was cold, the air was still, as confirmed by the reflection on the water.


 


Off shore, two boats headed out the bay, the first boats we've seen this year since the harbour thawed. 


 


They were a welcome sight. Looking out the bay towards Indian Head Lighthouse, the sea and sky blended into one.


 


The gulls were noisy, that gull sound which signals salt water, a familiar sound of home. 


 


Geese swam nearby and one commanded the attention of the others as she landed.


 


Two American black ducks swam around one of the streams which empties into the harbour. 


 


The hen and drake have large bills and round heads and stayed close together in their little stream.


Further along the boardwalk, an osprey sat on a nest atop a pole. He was scanning the area, watching the cars and walkers pass below him. 


 


This bird, a fish eater, nests in an ideal location, by the harbour and the streams which feed into it. This was the first time we had ever seen a bird in this nest which has been in place for years.


The city is repairing the boardwalk and area this week. Along the boardwalk itself, any boards which need to be replaced are marked with fluorescent paint to alert walkers and mark them for replacement.


 


The trees and limbs which were damaged are being cut and residents are free to take the wood.



Seedlings are being planted. 


From the bridge where we usually stop, only a mallard drake is swimming today. 


 


Where is the hen? Will we see ducklings soon? 


As many times as we have seen the squirrels, they always manage to charm us. This little one looked to be smiling at us!


 


We saw the beaver but could only get one photo before he dived again. However, he looks like a log in the water. 


 


We fear we will not get a good photo of him before the city moves him out of the area because of the flooding he causes.


On our return, we saw artwork on a lawn across the street from the boardwalk.


 


When you have scraps, why not use them in a creative way? It is a great addition to the area and a great place to finish to our walk.


 



31 comments:

Debra She Who Seeks said...

I saw the first robin of Spring yesterday. Not quite as exotic as the birds you saw!

DJan said...

Lovely walk indeed. I enjoyed seeing the wildlife and nesting osprey particularly. :-)

Shammickite said...

I'd love to take this walk with you, but I've been fighting a horrible cough and cold all week, still sneezing, so I'll stay at home and just look at your photos an pretend I'm there.

Anonymous said...

Such nice pictures! I love the squirrel peaking out! Andrea

Anonymous said...

Such a beautiful walk filled with a variety of wildlife. That squirrel is so cute! lol
I love how smooth/still the water is.
Wishing you a very nice weekend.

Anvilcloud said...

That third photo of the sea and sky blending is pretty cool.

The Happy Whisk said...

Hahah, that little critter looking out. That's brilliant.

PerthDailyPhoto said...

I loooooved this walk Marie, it's exactly the kind of walk we enjoy also, each time something different to see. Your third shot has a wonderfully surreal feel to it. Lots of birdlife along the way, the osprey is an impressive hunter. The wee squirrel peeking out at you is adorable! Hope you have a super weekend.

Elephant's Child said...

I LOVED walking with you. An osprey? A squirrel? A beaver? Not to mention the ducks would have made my day. Loved the blurring together of the sea and the sky too.

Bill said...

Such wonderful sighs to see on the walk. The squirrel peeking out is priceless, I love it. The sky and the water working together to become one is another grand photo. So much to enjoy on the walk, thanks for leading the way.

Debbie said...

Awesome timing to capture mr. squirrel in such an adorable pose. Your first image is lovely, perhaps a lighthouse but it looks a little small for that, you caught such a beautiful reflection!! The other lighthouse is also a beauty!!

Marie Smith said...

I don't see robins here, Debra. They would be a treat!

Marie Smith said...

The osprey is a beauty, Jan. We were lucky to see her that day!

Marie Smith said...

Feel better soon, Shammickite. Let me know when you are better and we'll go!

Marie Smith said...

My husband too a seriesof pictures of the squirrel. In the first he looked frightened. He looked to be smiling in this one.

Marie Smith said...

The water was still that day, Mildred. It is incredible that so much wildlife is nearby, undisturbed, leading their lives and we can observe them.

Marie Smith said...

We didn't realize the photo would look that way until we saw the result, AC.

Marie Smith said...

The squirrel went into the hole as my husband approached the feeder, HW.

Marie Smith said...

You are so right, PDP. There is always something different to see. The animals are our main entertainment!

Marie Smith said...

It was an wonderful nature walk, EC. We love it there.

Marie Smith said...

This walk is never boring, Bill. It is a pleasure to be there.

Marie Smith said...

The first one is a range light, Debbie. There are two of them in that area, the other further ashore. Vessels align with them coming into the harbour so they are in the shipping channel.

Ginnie said...

I love the Osprey in the nest. what a treat. That squirrel must be related to all the ones in my yard who laugh at me daily as I try to keep them from the feeders !

Down by the sea said...

Wonderful to see so much wildlife the squirrel was very kind posing for you like that! Sarah x

Marie Smith said...

The squirrels are part of an international union and follow union guidelines, Ginnie.

Marie Smith said...

That walk is always different, Sarah. It is amazing how much wildlife lives in harmony with the people.

Anonymous said...

I certainly enjoy your photos from your outings. So very different from anything we see in my area. Enjoy your Sunday.

Marie Smith said...

Thank you, Mildred, for coming along with us.

Marilyn @ MountainTopSpice said...

Amazing picture you got of the sea and sky blending! And that cute squirrel face peeking out, oh wow! You got some really nice shots on your walk! I'm glad to see the boats headed out, I know they are happy to be back to work after the winter break. Hugs to you today :)

Marie Smith said...

It looks more like spring than it feels like spring now, Marilyn. Soon all will be in harmony!

The Happy Whisk said...

Too cute.