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Saturday 31 August 2024

The look of late summer

It was cooler this past week, without much humidity and its layer of discomfort. We have walked the boardwalk, picked berries and been with the kids on several adventures we always do before school starts every year.


There have been a few windy days, wind enough to turn Bedeque Bay into what resembles chocolate milk. The rough seas from high wind stir up the red sand in the bay and voila, chocolate milk!





On a calm day, we spotted a Great Blue Heron among the bulrushes in the salt marsh. I am fascinated by these birds and I suspect it is the same one which frequents this area as it often visits the same spot.





The bird was far enough away for it to feel safe. At one point it looked to be trying to mimic the bulrushes. 





Then it looked my way.





It stretched its neck as if to get a better look. 





I smile every time I see these last two photos.


We also saw some of the migrant birds last week including, a Black-bellied Plover, 





Semipalmated Plovers 





and a Solitary Sandpiper.





My husband and I always enjoy berry picking, a common activity of childhood in Newfoundland. This past week, we made several attempts to pick high bush blueberries with our daughter and the three children. Finally, after a few days of rain cancellations and ripening delays, we headed out. 





The last of the berries were available and I enjoyed the time with the other four, one of whom, ate more than she added to the containers. My husband entertained the golden grand-dog, Daisy, while we picked.


Time at Cavendish Grove this time of year involves a picnic and squishing apples which are past eating. 





Then we played fetch with Daisy until we were spent though she still was eager to fetch.





Also every year, the grandchildren have their photos taken hanging from a specific tree branch in the grove. With the traditional activities checked for this year, they are ready for school.


While summer has been lovely, we look forward to this month which heralds autumn and all its beauty. 


38 comments:

Boud said...

Lovely pictures. I like herons so much, comic and athletic and powerful all at once

Ginnie Hart said...

I am such a huge fan of this time of the year, Marie. My favorite! So I totally get why you're enjoying this time, when the grandkids will be back in school and will want to share special times with you when able. But that heron! Yes. I'm smiling, too.

BTW, my Blogger site no longer has a "subscribe" button, which means you'll no longer receive emails when I make new posts. I'm cutting way back on posting, only when there's an trip or something significant we want to remember (so that we don't forget the details). My Follow-It provider needed a new payment, and I just decided I don't post enough anymore to warrant it. I see you don't have a subscribe button either. I hate that Google did away with it! (sigh)

DJan said...

I also smiled at those heron pictures. This is my favorite time of the year!

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Yes, those two heron shots are gold, pure gold!

Bill said...

What gorgeous photos you captured of the Great Blue Heron. They are the best I've seen in a very long time. Well done, Marie.

MARY G said...

Heron pics. No question. We used to take a yearly grandkid's first day of school photo. This year we have photos of the grandkid's apartment and the First Day Back for her cat. Time does change things.

photowannabe said...

Oh Marie, I just love your family traditions and the times you spend together. Those are my favorite times too.
I laughed out loud when I saw the 2 photos of the heron looking at you..they need to be framed.
All of our fruit is now gone but we sure enjoyed our grapes. I would love those home grown blueberries for sure.
The Chocolate milk splashing water is terrific too.
Sue

Debbie said...

i adore the way you have described your adventures, even the look of the "chocolate milk"!! that is one happy grandchild and one happy puppy!!

Elephant's Child said...

It has been v windy here too. Like cat and children it gets under my tail and turns me a bit 'antsy'.
Love, love, love those heron photos.
Enjoy your autumn.

Anvilcloud said...

The heron seems to have an extra helping of personality. We were once close to one who wasn't bothered at all.

Helen said...

Perhaps this visit I will get close enough to photograph a heron. Wonderful images. A very happy week and autumn on your doorstep.

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

Your photographs are fantastic! The heron straight beaked is hilarious. Happy September!

tz_garden said...

Great shots of the blue heron, how wonderful to see!

Joanne Noragon said...

My kind of great blue heron!

eileeninmd said...

Great captures of the birds, I like the Heron series!
Cute photo of Daisy! A fun time with the family picking berries.
Take care, enjoy your day and a happy week ahead!

baili said...

Lovely photos dear friend!
Spending time with Loved ones is special for sure:)
The blue hroen is Majestic big bird, you captured her poses so beautifully:)
Autmn is fascinating season of the year and imagining it in your area is thrilling. :)
Hugs

Jim and Barb's Adventures said...

Those couple of photos where the heron is looking at you are awesome!

Rose said...

I so love all those Great Blue Heron shots, but those last two are special. Sounds like you have been enjoying life!

peppylady (Dora) said...

Love the front view of the herron.

Maebeme said...

The photos of the heron made me smile too.
Traditions are fun, making memories that will stay with them throughout their lives.

Billie Jo said...

Hello! You always manage to get the most beautiful photos! Happy September!!!

Liz Hinds said...

Those two photos made me smile too. Delightful. We've been blackberrying and collecting foraged pears too. Traditions live on.

David M. Gascoigne, said...

Must be great to pick blueberries on PEI and not have to worry about a bear or two wishing to get their share!

Out

aurora said...

Wonderful family traditions! Your grands will remember them forever.

Fun shots of the Heron. You were spotted lol! I find shore birds really hard to ID.

John's Island said...

Marie, I absolutely love those two pictures of the Great Blue Heron putting eyes on you. Enjoyed all your photos. I believe we are close, roughly, on our northern latitudes, and I’ll bet that has something to do with why Washington State and Prince Edward Island seem to be advantageous locations for growing apples and blueberries. Thanks for this look of late summer! John

margi said...

Such a beautiful family tradition picking berries with grandchildren! The best end of summer holidays! Love the pictures of the heron!

Lea said...

Family traditions are wonderful, making great memories. Love the
Great Blue Heron photos!

Marilyn @ MountainTopSpice said...

There is so much to love about this time of year! Great pictures of the blue heron! Definitely smile worthy! Love the chocolate milk bay - such a beautiful thing to see. Amazing how fast summer has slipped by and school days are upon us again. Blessings!

Spare Parts and Pics said...

Award winning photos of the heron looking at you! Wonderful shots!!

gluten Free A_Z Blog said...

We are starting to see some season changes. It's cooler here too and the humidity is gone! We had one Great Blue Heron that seem to live at a nearby lake and it seemed like it was the same one every year. I haven't seen him in 2 years now. Beautiful photos as always Marie.

Pam said...

I love herrons. I love to watch them take off and come in for a landing. You got some great shots.

Pattie @ Olla-Podrida said...

I was sitting outside having a cup of coffee the other morning, and I noticed that a couple trees in my neighborhood are starting to turn. I’m not entirely ready to let go of summer just yet, but fall is my favorite season, and it does excite me that it’s on the way.

MELODY JACOB said...

Your week sounds wonderfully adventurous and serene! The imagery of the Great Blue Heron and the chocolate milk bay is truly captivating. I just posted a new blog post, I invite you to read. Thank you: https://www.melodyjacob.com/2024/09/how-to-style-prepreworks-stretchy-slim-round-neck-knit-vest.html

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

Great blue herons are one of my favorite birds as well, Marie, and we enjoyed seeing them when we lived in VA,p. And, there is one that often visits in the Nashua River below our apt. Your captures were fun to see.

Eggs In My Pocket said...

The water does look like chocolate milk! You got such a good photo of that long necked blue heron! All of the birds in your photos are so pretty. What a fun day with your grandchildren........and yes......I am ready for autumn!

Yesteryear Embroideries said...

The water in lakes and oceans does look so different with the changing seasons and yes, that does look like chocolate milk! Wow, so many apples on the ground......does anyone try to harvest them before they go bad......or is there just so many to keep picking up? Such wonderful photos of the birds and you captured the blue heron perfectly!

Velva- Evening with a Sandwich said...

Cheers to the last days of summer. I love the photos. Thanks for sharing. Here in the Southeast of the U.S. we still have a couple of months before we usher in the cooler temps.

DUTA said...

I've noticed the Heron is a favorite bird of many bloggers (me included).
Blueberries are considered super food, only they're rather expensive at my local mall.