At the estuary

This autumn, my husband and I have been visiting various beaches and waterways of the Prince Edward Island which we haven’t explored before. Many of our usual haunts haven’t been cleared since Fiona blew through. Recently we went west to Alaska, passing the Brae River along the way. The river flows into Brae Harbour on the southwest coast of the island on the Northumberland Strait.

We were happy to see so many birds on the Brae River and the surrounding estuary as the tide was falling so we stopped for some photos.

The grasses in the estuary are golden this time of year 

and since there weren’t many leaves on the trees to change colour this autumn because of Fiona, 

the colour of the grasses and the surrounding vegetation were a treat. We took lots of photos.

However, we didn’t totally neglect the birds. A Kingfisher,

Greater Yellowlegs

and the small Bonaparte’s Gulls held our attention too. 

In the distance we could see ducks and herons.

We continued on to Alaska where we explored and had lunch. On the way back, a few hours later, we stopped at the estuary again. As we left the car, a huge flock of Starlings took off from the wire where they were sitting. Minutes later we watched a murmuration across the sky as somehow the starlings moved as one. 

I was so excited to watch them, I neglected to take video. 

On the water, a cormorant dived for a meal and then spread his wings to dry. 

In the distance, the herons, gulls and ducks went about their business.

The overcast day gave a silver sheen to the water. 

Looking across to the trees in the distance, a Bald Eagle sat watching the scene too. Had the starlings reacted to its presence?

We observed the setting for a number of minutes before we left for home. That time in nature was priceless!