September on the island

It was a busy week during which we did some of our usual September activities. Of course my husband and I also walked the boardwalk some days too. Each excursion had highlights which made the experience memorable, like the planters at Arlington Orchard.

One of our family activities in September every year is a trip to the apple orchard. 

Our daughter and grandchildren always enjoy apple picking and the old folks tag along for the adventure. It rained in the morning that day so we didn’t have the usual picnic lunch but we enjoyed time with the family nonetheless. The day ended at the zip line, followed by ice cream.

Early last week, we discovered a young fox along the boardwalk. We watched for several minutes in two locations as the fox observed us. We took dozens of photos, but these are my favourite, a smile, 

and the soft look of the fuzzy fur.

The next day we drove to nearby Tyne Valley. The hilly trail, unusual for the island is one I find challenging. One area has a stream running through, and the water reflects the trees and the sky.

Another day on the boardwalk, two Great Blue Herons were fishing in Bedeque Bay at low tide. We watched them fly around in the bay and took lots of photos, including this favourite I call blue reflection.

Cousin’s Shore on the north coast is a favourite beach of our family where the grandchildren love the stream. 

Just off-shore that day, fishers in a scallop fishing boat were busy bringing in their catch.

A small flock of Semipalmated Plovers and Sandpipers rested in the sand. This perfect little Plover stood a few feet away as I admired it.

At Brander’s Pond nearby, we did our seasonal walk on the beach by the sea stack. I never tire of this scene, especially this year since the Cormorants were perched on the stack. 

They have been missing in recent years. Meanwhile a Bald Eagle was standing watch on the cliffs though I didn’t get a good photo of it. 

When we walk west on the beach, the eastern coastline comes into view. This scene is one of my favourites on the island.

On the beach, closer to the sea stack, a lobster trap has washed ashore, leftover from the spring fishery. I hope a fisherman will collect it for use next year.

It looks like another great week of weather on Prince Edward Island this coming week and we hope to be out and about to enjoy our island home.

Waning days of summer

It is that time of year again when many of the tourists have left the island for another year. A few remain but cruise ships will bring thousands of voyagers for daily excursions over the next two months. Autumn is knocking on the door and we are enjoying these waning days of summer at some of our favourite places and one place which was new to us.

We’ve watched the fishing boats in the bay this past week as the lobster season in this part of the province continues. One day, gulls stayed close to a boat, expecting offal to be cast away which they could eat. 

Another day, we saw a trap coming out of the water. 

Fresh lobsters are a common meal in homes and restaurants this time of year.

Meanwhile, along the shoreline, a Great Blue Heron was fishing too.

On a visit to Cavendish for a walk and a picnic, we watched a squirrel chasing a chipmunk which disappeared into a tree. The chipmunk poked its head out as we watched, hoping it had escaped the squirrel.

Nearby, a fallow field has become a mass of Queen Anne’s Lace and Red Clover. It is mesmerizing, in a good way.

At the Oceanview Lookout, 

newly built since Hurricane Fiona destroyed the previous one, one can see the length of Cavendish Beach nearby.

We visited the Borden wetlands last week as well. This area is new to us, but is an area popular with birders on the island, especially at low tide. We saw Semipalmated Plovers and Sandpipers. I was happy to see this juvenile Caspian Tern. 

The Canada Geese coming in for a landing were a beautiful sight too.

The wetlands and beach are in the shadow of the Confederation Bridge, which connects the island to the mainland of Canada. The curved line of the bridge is a massive structural wave high above those of nature.

On the way home, sunflowers were the highlight. They can grow tall, as you can see by these specimens growing beside this old Volkswagen van.

Also along the way, the sunflowers in this patch were facing the morning sun. We find ourselves doing the same as we enjoy the last few weeks of the summer spectacle.

Have a great week!