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Monday 25 June 2018

At the Cape

A recent visit to the New London Lighthouse gave my husband and me the opportunity to visit Cape Tryon as well. We knew of the Cape, at the edge of a farmer’s property, accessed via a red dirt road through his fields. The area is open to the public however.


At the end of a rough road, the sandstone cliffs are up to 35 meters above sea level. 





Such high cliffs are unusual on Prince Edward Island. The Gulf of St. Lawrence lies below. In the distance, the traditional beaches of the island are visible.





There isn’t beach here. The sandstone rises out of the water though it has eroded into caves in several areas at sea level.





Over the rocks below and any ledges in the cliffs, cormorants are in residence.





I have been fascinated with cormorants since we moved to the island. They fly over our house spring to fall as they travel back and forth to the lighthouse in the Summerside Harbour. Their goose-like V formations are a regular sight.


We observed the birds, noting the white feces over the rocks. Here, it is subjected to the elements, thus does not become the famous guano, which is a much sought fertilizer. 





The nests are made of stick and twigs, coated white as well.


This is the oldest cormorant colony on the island dating back to at least 1941. Two species of cormorants, Double crested and Great, live here. We saw Great cormorants at a distance. 





They have white around their beaks. Both species have a prehistoric look, with the long hooked beak and the S-shaped neck. 


Cormorants aren’t songbirds. Sometimes they sound like pigs. You can hear the voices and calls here.  Their grunt-like sounds were common on this visit.


A close-up look at one of the Double crested birds shows their uniqueness. 





The deep blue eye and the orange around the beak adds colour to the matte black. The feather pattern shows a combination of small and larger feathers and long ones of the tail. 


These birds are made to swim fast and far underwater in pursuit of food. They always surface a distance from the diving spot. Cormorants can cover a large area in a matter of seconds.


The lighthouse at Cape Tryon is not the original one which housed the keepers and their families in the early days. This one lights the way for vessels but watches over the colony as well.






A close-up of the Great cormorants is my next goal. We will be back!








30 comments:

John "By Stargoose And Hanglands" said...

Those Cormorants need a good head for heights to be nesting up there!

DJan said...

I love the cormorants I see in the waters here, but this has been a real treat! I learned a lot and look forward to more. Your pictures are wonderful. :-)

Anvilcloud said...

Great spot and info, and congratulations on writing "me" and not "I" in that first sentence, even though I had to ponder for a second as our ears get so used to hearing it wrong that it seems right.

PerthDailyPhoto said...

They are a facinating to see when the sun shines on their wings, especially when they are open to dry off, lovely irridescent colours, look forward to seeing your shots Marie.

Silver in AZ said...

very cool critters, and those cliffs are gorgeous!

Linda d said...

Someday I will come. Your blog makes PEI even more irresistible than ever. Although, I do believe I will skip the winter months. Happy Monday Marie♥

William Kendall said...

An amazing landscape!

Bill said...

What beautiful scenes and the birds are always interesting to see. Nice shots and narrative as always, Marie

Rhodesia said...

As Great set of photos. I love the cormorants, I see them often at the dam down the road but I can never get close enough to get decent photos. Have a good week Diane

Anonymous said...

Such beautiful pictures and so interesting. You should have seen my cats when I played the sound they make! lol
The blood work performed on me at the hospital was in error and a visit to a specialist today gave me wonderful news. I'm thankful. Hope to be back blogging soon. Sorry to have gotten behind. I think the worry of the past week has taken 10 years off my life!

Debra She Who Seeks said...

They are indeed very unique looking birds!

Elephant's Child said...

Dramatic and lovely. Stunning photo of the cormorant. A great photo. And I look forward to a great photo of the Great Cormorant.

jenny_o said...

Photos like your first two open one's eyes to the sheer magnitude of the planet just under our feet. The houses and trees are tiny compared to the cross-section of the land beneath which forms the cliff. Amazing.

The cormorants really do look prehistoric, don't they? We have them here as well.

Retired Knitter said...

Great pictures. Thanks for sharing.

Jenn said...

Gorgeous photos! Love that red earth!

Marie Smith said...

I can’t imagine how they rest up there John.

Marie Smith said...

Thank you Jan. I love those peculiar creatures.

Marie Smith said...

I always have to fight the “I” urge AC.

Marie Smith said...

They are fascinating to watch, that’s for sure PDP.

Marie Smith said...

The red cliffs are a big part of the look of this island Sw.

Marie Smith said...

It is wise to avoid a winter visit Linda. It is a great vacation spot though.

Marie Smith said...

It is more like the height of the cliffs I am accustomed to in Newfoundland William.

Marie Smith said...

Thank you Bill.

Marie Smith said...

I find they are had to approach as they move away the closer we get, keeping a constant distance between us.

Marie Smith said...

I can imagine the cats’ reactions Mildred.

Great results are always such a relief.

Marie Smith said...

They sure are Debra.

Marie Smith said...

Thanks EC. You always provide such encouragement!

Marie Smith said...

I love the view of the house and the cliff not so far away too. It give some perspective to the setting.

Those prehistoric looking birds are a wonder to me Jenny.

Marie Smith said...

You’re welcome RK.

Marie Smith said...

Red is a signature of this island Jenn.