Every time we go for a walk to the boardwalk in Summerside, we always begin at the gazebo overlooking the salt marsh.
The view across the bay is tempered by the weather.
This area is frequented by numerous bird species from Black-capped Chickadees in the trees bordering the marsh to Great Blue Herons which wade in the water feeding on fish and frogs.
We were anxious to see how the area and indeed all of the boardwalk fared from Fiona when she blew through over three weeks ago. When the area was finally reopened, we didn’t know what to expect as far as damage there was concerned but it surprised us nonetheless.
The area was devastated by the wind and especially the storm surge.
However, while the environment was devastated, the animals were there!
Waves had crashed over the rock revetments along the shoreline dropping seaweed by the boardwalk
and everywhere in between.
Some trees had succumbed to the winds and evidence of the damage is along the boardwalk.
The more significant change, we felt, was in the salt marsh which is our favourite area. This section of trail always changes with the weather and the seasons anyway, depending on the amount of rain we have or high tides and wind conditions. The small boundary of seaweed and sand between the marsh and the sea was destroyed, with the tumultuous salt water advancing up the stream, depositing the seaweed almost fifty metres from the shoreline.
Bulrushes and grasses were flattened. The change was dramatic.
It has been interesting to hear environmentalists speak of the destruction on the island from Fiona, urging patience as dunes will recover over time. Watching the salt marsh over the last few weeks, I can see how this would be so. In those few weeks, the boundary of seaweed and sand is returning to the mouth of the salt marsh.
It will be interesting to see how the bulrushes and grasses return to the marsh with so much seaweed now as the substrate.
We are witnesses to both the fury and restorative possibilities of nature.
30 comments:
Sad to see that storm damage.
It's always very beautiful where you live, and I'm glad that the damage has not kept the wildlife away! :-)
I was watching a program last night about the destruction of some places and the belief that things can only get worse. I hope you are right and that in your area the dunes and the salt marsh will recover.
Keep well, Diane.
What a sad sight. But to see those resilient animals makes one feel a little better.
Nature is resilient.
Two things came to mind reading your post. First is how devastating nature is. The second is how resilient nature is. To see the critters scurrying around a day after the storm and go on with their lives like nothing happened, it is just another day in the life of the little guys.
Hi Marie, Very interesting post. You did a good job documenting all the damage from the storm. I will be looking forward to see how things come back next spring. I expect the seaweed will decay and disappear. The forces of nature continue to amaze me. In your 4th image … I wonder if those who live in the house … we can just see the roof … stayed there during the storm? Thanks so much for the report and photos. John
John, the roof you see in the fourth photo is of a covered picnic area. Marie
It's good to see the restoration of the shoreline. It will come back though probably somewhat different.
Fiona certainly was brutal on everything.
I'm glad you could still do your walk and the trails are still there.
Sue
Echoing your other commentators. Lots of damage, lots of resilience. And hope.
Hope, as you watch, you see recovery...
Must remember how the forest returns, after a file...
🎃 🎃 🎃 🎃 🎃 🎃
Our marshes here show death as the sea water rises and moves in. Big trees are growing black. It is scary.
Such devastation, and it will take a long time for recovery to take place - but I have great faith in Nature that she will adjust and continue as she always has. Like you say, Nature may be destructive at times but it is also amazingly regenerative.
The damage is extensive, but nature heals itself and over the years the forest will recover.
Nature does constantly reshape and modify the landscape. Over millennia it did so without affecting small, scattered human settlements, but those days are past as humans occupy almost every corner of the planet. We tend to measure change as 'damage' rather than as part of a natural cycle, and evaluate it only as it affects us.
Thank you, Marie, for answering my question. Wishing you a good week ahead. John
I hope everything returns. It may be different but I hope it's all there.
it hurts to see all the damage that storm has caused to your beyond beautiful area area dear Marie
the seaweed destroyed by saltmarsh makes me sad ,i think i remember how gorgeous this place looked in your lovely captures each year
i hope and pray that nature will show her kindness and repair all that was ruined by her .
thinking of you !!!
So glad you have been able to return to your 'happy' place on the boardwalk, Marie, and that after witnessing the initial damage, you now have hope of this special area recovering.
I've enjoyed spotting the autumn colours on the leaves.
It is sad to see the storm damage, I am happy to see that the birds are still there. Hopefully with time the area will recover and return to normal. Take care, enjoy your day!
Sad to see that! I hope everything returns as soon as possible.
Take care.
Abdel | Infinitely Posh.
It IS sad to lose what we loved but you may be pleasantly surprised by how nature can transform itself from devastation to regeneration. At least we can hope so.💖
Very sad to see all the damage. Nature does have a way of repairing itself and the fact the birds are there suggests the healing has begun.
That is a lot of damage. Glad there are some positive signs.
I always wonder where the wildlife goes during hurricanes....and tornados too, for that matter.
Oh Mother Nature can be so wicked and mean at times. Makes you wonder where the animals go to be protected through a storm like that. I did have to look up exactly what a salt marsh was. Thanks for sharingl
Nature is both devastating and rejuvenating. The cycles go on and on. Your photos and narrative are excellent records of how Fiona affected the area, and of the healing already taking place.
Nature can be very resourceful...
i think Nature will win out long after puny humans shuffle off ...
Still beautiful but it did take a beating.
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