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Sunday 24 April 2022

Picnic at Bubbling Springs

The Covehead Lighthouse stood nestled in the sand dunes as we drove through the national park on Prince Edward Island.





My husband and I were headed for our first picnic of the season on a beautiful spring day. With the temperature above zero and the absence of wind, it was a perfect day for a hike and a hot lunch cooked on the camp stove.





Late last autumn, we explored the Bubbling Springs Trail in the park for the first time and we felt drawn back there to start the season this year. This area is one of our favourites on the island. When we arrived, there was snow in the parking lot, so we expected snow on the trail as well. 





Exiting the car, we heard an unfamiliar bird call and a woodpecker busy in a tree. The call and tapping continued along the length of the trail. I was lucky to take a photo of the bird though a poor one. A flock of Northern Flickers, the yellow shafted variety of the east coast appear to make this area home, at least this time of year.





On the pond which parallels a section of the trail, Canada Geese and Ring-necked Ducks enjoyed the morning sun. They were too far away for good photos.





The spring continues to bubble, doing its thing regardless of the weather or anything else. I wonder if the water freezes every winter.


The trail was indeed snow and ice covered in any shaded areas and water accumulated in the hollows. 





Our feet were wet by the time we arrived back to the car. We didn’t mind however and dried off before we started lunch.


On the old Coleman stove we fried bacon and warmed beans and meat cakes. Sipping a cup of hot tea, we had a quiet lunch, the first of the season, listening to the Flickers in the distance and the Song Sparrows in the trees nearby. 





The pussy willows and the sumac seeds against the blue sky completed the scene. 





We stopped at Covehead on the way home to see the birds in the salt marsh across from the light. The radiation fog rising from the marsh while geese and ducks went about their daily lives, created a peaceful scene which we watched for some time. A few deep breaths later and we were ready to re-enter the world.









28 comments:

Rose said...

This sounds like such a wonderful day. I love to.see Norther Flickers.

Rose said...

I will try to comment one more time. I think this sounds like such a wonderful.day...

DJan said...

Such a wonderful place to explore and enjoy a picnic. Your bird photos are lovely! Thank you for the kind comment you left on my blog, Marie. You are definitely one of my special virtual friends. :-)

Tabor said...

Looks like you are a bit more than a week behind us. Our flickers seem fewer this year.

Bill said...

Perfect picnic times once again. YAY

The Padre said...

Another Beautiful Piece Of The World Here - Birds, Weather, & A Picnic - FANTASTIC

Cheers

Elephant's Child said...

I am so very glad that you are able to get out and about again. Thank you so much for sharing some of the beauty and joy.

photowannabe said...

Marie, I really enjoy your beautiful writing style.
Your day was magical. I could feel and smell the scenery.
Your picnic sounds divine. Hot food made it perfect.
Sue

William Kendall said...

Beautiful. Particularly the lighthouse.

margi said...

A beautiful day and a wonderful place for a picnic! The photos of the birds are wonderful.

Ruth Hiebert said...

Those early spring outings are so enjoyable. Lovely pictures.

Maebeme said...

All of the photos are great, but the one of the goose is spectacular. What a nice way to spend a few hours.

Debbie said...

you are brave to picnic in those temperatures, but i must admit it sounded glorious. those flickers are beautiful in flight, displaying a lot of yellow!!

the picture of the song sparrow is spectacular!!

i am so happy to be reading about your adventures again, hopefully you will know i was here!!

Mary, Windy Meadows Farm said...

so lovely...what a wonderful way to spend the day.

Joanne Noragon said...

Back at it. Hooray for you.

The Furry Gnome said...

Looks pretty cool for a picnic. You must be brave picnicers! Nice to get out in any case.

Red said...

Nothing like getting out and staying out. Yes, have some hot lunch on that old Coleman.

Helen said...

Such a beautiful start to your summer of walking.

Anvilcloud said...

When you wrote picnic, I expected sandwiches. 😀

Other than that, I appreciated your nice naturalistic post. (Wrong word, I think.)

David M. Gascoigne, said...

Hi Marie: Here is my question. What are meat cakes? It's a new teem to me. See you soon. David

MARY G said...

That's a fine flicker you have there - ours are a bit darker and more mottled. And how do you find the song sparrows to photograph? Do you bribe them? I can hear ours all day, but rarely get an eye on one.
Geese in multitudes honking north here. And the last sodden snow is, for now, gone. I am keeping the snow shovel on the porch though, because I have known it to snow in May.

peppylady (Dora) said...

Snow!, our is up Mountains.
Coffee is on and stay safe

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

Happy Picnic Season! Beautiful pictures, the area is enchanting.

gluten Free A_Z Blog said...

Maire,
How wonderful that you were able to get out and have a picnic again. Despite the spring season, it still looks pretty cold to me. Great photos and I am just picturing you sitting and enjoyable your hot lunch.

Goldendaze-Ginnie said...

I love your little Song Sparrow ... all puffed up
and showing off for the camera !

At Home In New Zealand said...

What an awesome picnic you describe. I hope you get to continue having many more such picnics in the future, making wonderful memories together. Mxx

Susie of Arabia said...

Nice to see so much of the snow has finally melted - and life is resuming a livelier pace.

baili said...

what a lovely day out with nature dear Marie .i used to see woodpecker back in my native town while heading to the school :)
your lunch while listening to the song sparrow sounds amazing :)

more joys to you and loved ones my friend