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Wednesday 16 November 2022

Along the coast to West Point

It looks wild and untamed, an area of beach on Prince Edward Island left to nature. We’d headed to the southwest coast of the island to Brae Harbour and driven along the coastline from the small community over a dirt road. We passed a few off-grid cottages and eventually arrived at a place where we’d need an off-road vehicle to go further.





This is an exposed area of coastline along the Northumberland Strait. A sand bar off shore breaks the waves and the water looks like it is boiling. 





Sandy red sea rushes to shore. However, there aren’t any sand dunes along this shoreline. Trees, shrubs and other vegetation border the beach while driftwood in abundance shows how many trees have been claimed by the onslaught.





This area of coastline is without a village or even a cottage. It is a part of the island coastline we have rarely seen, without cliffs or dunes either. A cottage here would be risky, without a border between it and the sea.


During a walk along this beach, we crossed one familiar island feature, a brook crossing the beach, a small one we could easily jump over. Walking east, one could see homes or cottages kilometres away along the shoreline. One cannot imagine the same in this area.


We returned to the main road and continued on to West Point. This area has been settled and like so many areas of the island, has a boat basin along the shoreline to offer protection to fishers, their boats and gear. 





There wasn’t much activity in the basin this time of year as fishing season was winding down. The ubiquitous sentinels of the sea, the cormorants, had one lone bird on duty that day, 





while along the breakwater side of the basin, others of the species commune with gulls and enjoy the autumn sun. 





Damage in the basin walls allows one to look west towards the West Point Lighthouse, one that stands out among lighthouses on the island for its black and white striping. This area has received much damage over the last number of years and revetments along the shoreline and lighthouse are strategically placed so as to reduce the same in the future.





We had our favourite lunch of the autumn thus far, sheltered from the on-shore breeze at a picnic table at the park there. While we ate our delicious chicken stew, we watched the robins nearby 





and listened to the chickadees, our most vocal woodland bird of autumn, as they flitted among the trees around us. We watched with interest at what we thought initially to be a crow but later identified as a Turkey Vulture, an unusual bird for the island. It was a thrill to watch it circle the area for its food, animals which are already dead, such a road kill.





We walked through the park and along the shoreline after lunch before we headed home. Another great day exploring the island! 







33 comments:

Debra She Who Seeks said...

I like your shot of the black and white stripey lighthouse!

Anvilcloud said...

The picture of the gulls. Is it an illusion that the distant one seems a fair bit larger than the nearer ones. even if they were the same size, one would think that the closer ones would look larger.

The Padre said...

What A Beautiful Walk - Way Cool - Excellent Lighthouse Sneaking In There - Amazing Birds As Well - Enjoy Your Weekend

Cheers

Marie Smith said...

AC,

The Great Black-backed Gull in the rear is the largest gull is the largest species of gull so that probably accounts for what you are seeing.

Marie

MARY G said...

Our robins are gone, all but the stubborn few that overwinter. We now have enough snow that they are dependent on berries and handouts if they stay.
Love the boiling water shot. Fascinating.
And we have lots of soaring turkey vultures. I love to watch them.

William Kendall said...

That lighthouse is a beauty.

Pattie @ Olla-Podrida said...

I love the photo all of the driftwood (?). Those trees along the shoreline are so interesting looking.

peppylady (Dora) said...

Those living above Tropical of Capricorn is slowing down.
Coffee is on and stay safe

Bill said...

I love the black and white lighthouse!

photowannabe said...

Magnificent roiling waters...the red color is fascinating.
I agree that living there would be difficult, so wild.
Sue

Elephant's Child said...

Yet another amazing walk. Thank you.
I envy you your vulture. We have none, and their cleanup capacities are often sadly needed.

Red said...

Very nice outing and it looks like you had it all to yourselves.

The Furry Gnome said...

I didn't realize there was such a wild corner on PEI.

Lorrie said...

A beautiful place to explore. That is a very wild looking beach with all the uprooted trees drifted onto shore. Such a striking lighthouse, too.

The Happy Whisk said...

I like the less activity and the scene. So boooooooteeeefulllll.

Maebeme said...

Such a wonderful place to walk and explore. I'm envious of the blue skies (and no snow.)

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

The raw beaches and fallen trees have a beauty of their own. The lighthouse is impressive.

Jim and Barb's Adventures said...

I do love to see the red sands of your coast. So unique and beautiful. It looks as though our robins and turkey vultures made their way to your island. The once abundance birds are nowhere to be seen this time of year.

Tabor said...

You have such a lovely area of the world to walk around.

Catarina said...

I really like everything you post! : )

Pam said...

Always like walking along the beach with you on your walk...thanks

Helen said...

A hint of lingering autumn was spotted but generally, this post announces the long winter ahead for you. Nature's tenacity will again be tested.

Linda d said...

If I ever get to your island, it will feel a bit like coming home. I’ve seen so much of it through your lens. Beautiful.

Debbie said...

you live on an island...i always think of them as small, yet there are so many beautiful places to explore!! chicken stew, is that just like beef stew only replacing the beef with chicken?? that is something i have never had nor heard of!

the lighthouse, your last picture is just gorgeous!!

eileeninmd said...

Hello,
It is wonderful place for your walk, the views are beautiful. The sea looks red on the second photo. It nice not to see the cottages right on the beach.
I enjoy seeing the Vulture, Robin, the gulls and the Cormorants. The Lighthouse is a favorite, I am a fan of lighthouses. Take care, enjoy your weekend!

Marie Smith said...

Debbie,

The chicken stew recipe is below:

https://www.spendwithpennies.com/chicken-stew/

We didn’t have green beans in ours.

As we get older, my husband and I find that subtle flavours are lost on us. I made this stew the day before and by the next day, the spices had gone through the stew, giving flavours we love. It was delicious. I made enough so we had some for the next day too. Chicken stew is on our menu occasionally. It is a nice change! The beef stew I made for another picnic wasn’t as good as the chicken one.

Marie

Debbie said...

thanks marie, i am going to try this!!

Lea said...

Great photos!

DUTA said...

I like the picture where the cormorants and gulls enjoy the autumn sun. It's what we, humans, also like to do.

gluten Free A_Z Blog said...

You really captured the area of your walk with all these beautiful photos. Love the black and white ( I think its a ) lighthouse . Sounds like a wonderful peaceful afternoon.

David M. Gascoigne, said...

When I see your walks, Marie, it makes me wonder what differences I will see to familiar areas when I return. The coastline has doubtless changed radically in some areas.

John's Island said...

I’m writing this at a little after 1PM, Sunday afternoon, looking out on Puget Sound, and seeing the exact same glistening sunshine on the water that I see in your first image. Excellent photography. Being close to the water is something I always want to be a part of my life. So, forgive me for going on and on about your pictures, but I don’t think I can ever get too much PEI. I had to open up Google Maps and find Brae Harbour. Looking at that on the satellite image is amazing. Following along the coast to West Point and seeing those sand bars … can you imagine the storms along there? As always, I enjoyed all your photos and comments. One more thing (please forgive me for my long comments) … Your last image … Could there really be someone lucky enough to live there? Have a happy week ahead. John

Marie Smith said...

Hi John,

There is an inn and museum at the West Point Lighthouse. I am not sure if anyone lives there full time. You can see more here:

https://westpointlighthouse.ca/inn_and_museum

Thank you for your comments, John,

Marie