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Sunday 12 March 2023

Along the Grand River

Every winter we visit the Grand River area of Prince Edward Island to see the birds who frequent the area when cold winds and diminished light are the norm. 


Across the water, the community of Bayside rests along the river, its yellow church, St. Patrick’s, standing proud along the shoreline. It was so windy that day, it was hard to keep the camera steady for a photo.





Meanwhile, in the areas of open water on the river, Goldeneyes were plentiful, the Barrow’s species, with the white teardrop on their faces more numerous than the Common species with the white circle. Also present were Mergansers and Gulls which we see year round.





We made our pilgrimage to St. Patrick’s too, or the bumblebee church as I call it. 





The farmland of Prince County spreads out around the church on both sides of the river.





It is obvious that snow machines were crossing the ice. They won’t be able to do that much longer as the temperatures hover near zero.





I took a picture to capture three trees standing proud in the winter sunlight. The colours, which may be from the camera lens, made a curious addition to the scene.





The tree trunks were almost as colourful!





On the way back around Grand River I saw this head above the guardrail as we drove by. 





We stopped to see these domestic geese by the side of the road along the river. They are accustomed to people and hardly moved when I stopped to photograph them.




Before long the snow will be gone and the Goldeneyes will too. I heard recently that the Barrow’s are an endangered species. I wish them well on their travels the rest of this year!







33 comments:

Anvilcloud said...

What a gorgeous and photo-worthy church! I am a little surprised at the scant snow cover. Now we all await the late season storms but not with gleeful anticipation — more like let’s get it over with. 😀

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

Guardrail goose photo is adorable!
Nice to see open water as winter melts away. The sun in your pictures even looks brighter.

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Great photo of the lichen-moss tree bark!

DJan said...

What a wonderful visit to your beautiful island, with so many interesting birds! Thank you for the tour. :-)

Jim and Barb's Adventures said...

I had not heard that the Goldeneyes were endangered. We see them while duck hunting in North Dakota. They are fun birds to watch, and are one of the first to arrive north and one of the last to leave in the fall.

Maebeme said...

I'm not familiar with Goldeneyes, and will have to see if their migration brings them to our area.

Lovely photos! I got a chuckle out of the head above the guardrail.

Hena Tayeb said...

So many gorgeous birds.. that water must be so cold.

baili said...

Awe !!!!!!!!!

the trees against sky and sun turned into Master piece dear Marie !

i would love to hang that awesome photo on wall as they reflect exceptional beauty of the perspective :)

the geese shot is also remarkable .they are adorable and pretty

church and buildings are gorgeous as well
glad that spring ahs started to peek through tree stems :)

looking forward to read about your cycle adventure among lush majestic sceneries ,y friend!
hugs and blessings

Pam said...

Glad to see you dropped a post today. Oh, what a beautiful church. I love the structure of churches and the look they have all their own. On FB I have pics of churches from all around where I have been They are so cool. Looks like a nice CoLd walk around the lake. BURRRR.....we have gone from 80 some odd degrees to CoLd! Old Man Winter has a few more fights in him, battling with Mother Nature on whose turn it is to come out and play. MOther Nature will win it out before long.

photowannabe said...

Pure artistry Marie.
I so enjoyed these photos of your lovely area. The "BumbleBee" church is wonderful.
The 3 trees needs to be framed and hung. Love the sun flare.
Happy week
Sue

Bill said...

Lovely photos, Marie. I like the bumble bee church, I wonder how it got that name. I love the tree trees, it's my favorite. Enjoy the new week.

At Home In New Zealand said...

I like looking at different bark forms on trees and the lichen and moss on your one adds a different dimension.

Linda said...

The first shot looks far more like a lovely painting than a photo. Love the lichen too.

Hope you and yours are doing well♥

Debbie said...

first...awesome to see you today!! this looks like a wonderful and frigid outing. definitely worth it seeing all of that amazing wildlife and such picturesque landscape!! i don't see goldeneyes here in new jersey, it was a treat to see them in your images!!

that church is beautiful, really pretty and i loved the image of the three trees in a row!!!

Red said...

You find lots if interesting photos when you get out for a good walk.

Joanne Noragon said...

So cold. Brrrrr..... I do like the tree lichen photo!

Lux said...

Beautiful, poignant, nostalgic. I love the serenity in these photos. Keep warm!

William Kendall said...

St. Patrick's feels familiar. I must have seen it while visiting the island.

Helen said...

I just love the Bumblebee church shining in the winter light. Beautiful sightings elsewhere, especially the head above the rails.

Granny Sue said...

That church is stunning, and so is your tree photo.

David M. Gascoigne, said...

It makes me drool, Marie, that you have so many Barrow's Goldeneye there, Marie. I have seen but one in my life, a stray bird up near Peterborough, ON many years ago.

peppylady (Dora) said...

I do like the name for a river, Grand. Don't know why.
Coffee is on and stay safe

John's Island said...

Hi Marie, What a delightful post. You will smile I think … Your picture of the church reminded me of our visit to PEI in 2019 when we enjoyed seeing another wonderful church … St. Dunstan’s Basilica. I wish I could put pictures in this comment and I would share some with you. 😊 Wow, you have some marvelous churches on PEI! I love the shot of the three trees standing proud in the winter sunlight. Just a gorgeous shot! And my turn to smile … the domestic geese. 😊 I have to wonder if Canada Geese are OK sharing space on PEI with them? They look so healthy. Thank you for sharing this post and for your thoughtful, kind comments on my blog. John

Glenda Beall said...

A wonderful journey with lovely photos. That church is unique and so pretty.
Thanks for taking me along.

Glenda Beall said...

I am having trouble commenting again, but want you to know I really enjoyed this post. Thanks.

DUTA said...

Quite a remarkable church! Great pictures of the trees and the tree trunks!
I might have said this to you before , but I'm glad to say that again - your photos are of high professional quality!

Rose said...

That church is beautiful...also love the other photos. The farmland and the 3 trees. The goose head above the guardrail almost made me burst out laughing. I was glad I was not drinking anything.

Pattie @ Olla-Podrida said...

I love that church!

Sherry's Pickings said...

that church is beautiful. nice to see all the snow; we are sweltering here. going to be 36C tomorrow! Eek.

Catarina said...

That was a marvelous visit. And you brought us great pictures so we could enjoy those wonder places you saw...

Barwitzki said...

The white geese look like our domestic geese... do you know the story "Nils Holgerson" by Selma Lagerlöf?
I think you will like her.
Thank you for your beautiful photos.
Many greetings to you. Viola

gluten Free A_Z Blog said...

The bumblebee Church is such a beautiful building. Such beautiful photos of nature. I love the glimpse of the snow and all the beautiful ducks in the water. Love your photos

eileeninmd said...

Hello Marie,
I was sure I left you a comment earlier, must be lost or in spam.
I love the yellow church, beautiful building. The photo with the sunburst and three bare trees is lovely. I would love o see the Goldeneye's and Barrow's, they would be a new duck for me. Love all the bids and geese. Great post. Happy Sunday, have a great new week!