The ice in the bay at Summerside broke up over the last few weeks and the wind takes it out of the bay one day and back in another depending on the wind direction. On days without wind, pans of ice, which Newfoundlanders call growlers, float around the harbour after an onshore wind. A morning walk by the water on a calm day in spring is a treat for people of east coast Canadian islands.
On one calm, overcast morning, the lighthouse looked like the overseer of proceedings in the bay.
Close-ups of the growlers showed the shadows on the calm surface of the water.
Sometimes the gulls like to stop for a rest on one.
The next day, it was calm and overcast again as we headed to the boardwalk. However the sun found openings in the clouds and slowly the sky turned blue. The water reflected that blue and changed the scenes from the previous day.
There were more birds on the growlers this second day, just enjoying the setting with friends.
As we passed the Front Range Light, the blue of the scene highlighted the ice field in the distance.
Two days later, an off-shore wind took the ice into the Northumberland Strait again and we couldn’t see in on the horizon. Two more days and it was back.
When we arrived at the end of the boardwalk that last day, a young eagle was perched on the ice off shore while two crows were courting in the air around it.
Land, sea, sky and creature provide much enjoyment in the bay by the boardwalk.
43 comments:
You caught some amazing reflections in your photos!
Good morning, my friend. Your photos are stunning, and I appreciate the information you share with them. Thank you for showing us these beautiful sights!
I wonder why they are called growlers. Do they make any noise? And that last picture is just wonderful! Thank you for the lovely post, Marie.
Absolutely beautiful! Such a unique and intriguing area you live in.
I like that first photo as is, but I am imagining it as an extreme pano crop.
Jan,
My husband and I wondered the same thing. From what I’ve researched, the name comes from the sound the ice can make when it turns over in the water. The fisherman can hear it if they are nearby.
These growlers are from the frozen harbour and the pieces may not be big enough to make the sound. Along the Newfoundland coast, many of the growlers are broken from icebergs and are often bigger. Those pieces may be better growlers when they turn over in the water.
Great pictures, showing us how the blue is returning for spring.
I like photo of ice floating in water. I'm wonder if there any windmills put in the water?
Coffee is on and stay safe.
Dora,
There are several areas of the province with windmill farms, including the area where I live. However there are none placed in the water.
YaY!!! i was happy to see a post from you today!! beautiful images, i enjoyed seeing the growlers and their pretty reflections in the water. growlers seems like such an odd name for them, i wonder how they came up with that?? the lighthouses are gorgeous, maybe 2 of my favorites that i see here on blogs!!
the eagle was quite the special sighting!!
I always loved looking at Lighthouses but never visited one until this past summer. The one I went in was in Calif., not very big but I enjoyed it. Would love to visit some more.
Your photos are absolutely beautiful. I love the lighthouse, it's a beauty.
Beautiful shots!
Magnificent photos. I think the first one is my favorite. The perspective is enticing.
The ebb and flow of the ice is fascinating. I didn't realize it did that.
Sue
WOW. This is a sight I doubt I will ever see for myself. Wonderful photos - many thanks.
Amazing pictures! Your island is a little paradise.
These are gorgeous scenes. Thanks for taking me on this virtual walk.
Sea ice can be very interesting with tides and winds mixing things up. When I was at Wakeham Bay in Northern Quebec on Hudson Strait, the ice would go out on one tide. One hunter was caught on the ice when it went out. there was a little excitement to get him off. The hunters knew what to do and he was rescued.
It must be fascinating to watch the ice come and go.
Wonderful photos. I agree with FG, it must be very interesting to watch the ice come and go. Seeing the birds adds to the enjoyment.
Those are stunning photographs. Bravo!
how wonderful are these photos. I love the growlers and the lighthouse. Hard to imagine you have such icy weather while we are in hot and humid weather here in brisbane. It's still very warm! I think autumn is a no-show this year!
So much beauty in every season, and all God's creatures make the best of things, don't they! Rest stops on the growlers! Love it! Have a blessed and special Easter, hopefully you continue to get nice Spring weather!
I like the palette and the serenity, and love the grumpy gull.
Stunning photos, Marie, of scenes that I find just totally overwhelming. I watch the floating ice on the Confederation Bridge webcam and am amazed by the vastness of the ice movement. Your photos take my amazement to another level.
Gorgeous views, growlers are new to me. I love the water views, the lighthouse and the eagle and gulls. It was in the 70's here yesterday and possibly close to 80 today. Take care, have a wonderful day!
Some beautiful photos there, even if I'd like it a bit warmer for my walks. "Growlers" - now there's a poetic turn-of-phrase!
Beautiful photos!
You certainly live in a fascinating place Marie. Watching that ice flow in and out would be amazing :)
You captured the scenery so well!!!! As usual. Simply magnificent!
I learned a new word today - growler. The ice photos you took are gorgeous with the ice sitting on the smooth water reflecting perfectly.
Breathtaking... pure relaxation... so wonderful.
Thank you for your wonderful photos. It is a pleasure to look at them.
Many greetings to you.
Viola wishes you a happy Easter.
When the ice breaks up, Marie, you know that spring really is on the way. Great shots of this phenomenon.
Hi Marie, I just read all 32 previous comments. It’s going to be tough for me to come up with something to top amazing, stunning, wonderful, beautiful, magnificent, gorgeous … 😊 Just let me say they are all correct! I love the way you captured the bay by the boardwalk as the ice of winter begins to recede. Interesting find in the comments … Helen mentioned watching the ice via the Confederation Bridge webcam. Oh boy, I found a new bookmark …
https://www.webcamtaxi.com/en/canada/prince-edward-island/confederation-bridge.html
It’s 2PM in Seattle, and 6PM at the Bridge and lots of ice is floating by. Not much traffic on the bridge. I guess I’m easily entertained, but just watching for a few minutes is like a zen treatment. 😊
I’m just feeling lucky to have found Island Musings. Thanks for another great post. Wishing you a fine weekend ahead. John
I love to see winter water pictures. You have some excellent captures here. It always amazes me how many beautiful photos you manage to get.
Your pictures are just amazing, so beautiful...wow!
Have a Happy Easter, take care...
Love, Titti
Marie, I’m stopping by again for a quick update. In my earlier comment I mentioned the Confederation Bridge webcam and watching the ice float by. I just now took another look at the webcam and there is no ice! The possible reason … Previously, the ice was floating from right (side of my the screen) to the left. Now, there appears to be wind pushing waves on the water from left to right. Perhaps this is ocean water, without ice, going INTO the Bay. Folks may think I’m crazy but this is actually an interesting thing to watch! 😊 John PS Thank you for your kind comment on my latest post!
John,
When the ice starts to break up every year, the pans of ice move with the prevailing wind. That may be what you saw flowing under the bridge. The current flows east in the Strait which doesn’t explain why the water was flowing west last you saw it.
The bridge is at the narrowest part of the Strait. Could the current be affected by the tides flowing back in this part of the Strait? I don’t know and haven’t been able to find an answer online.
Marie
Marie,
Thanks for your reply. I hadn't even thought about the tides, but I'll bet that is the reason.
John
Lovely scenery and I learned something. I had never heard fo growlers before. Very interesting.
GORGEOUS IMAGES!
oh i really enjoyed the intriguing formation of ice on the surface of water :)
i just came to this post to say something about song sparrow which i forgot to mention on recent post but can't see my longer comment but only this one which i left after publishing that one ???
this is happening so often these days sadly
just like you i too notice and love song by sparrow dear Marie ,they are soul touching
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