Early autumn

It was a wet morning as we headed to Covehead and nearby Tracadie Beach on the north coast of the island, east of home. We were meeting our Australian friends, Frank and Helen* there. We were lucky the rain stopped but the sky was spectacular, overcast with shades of blue. It was a picture perfect day!

At Tracadie, the remains of a 19th century fishing wharf spread across the sand, 

the pylons weathered but still surprisingly strong despite their age.

The dunes in the distance protect the area against the ravages of a stormy sea.

Like last year when we visited, a Bald Eagle was atop the tallest dune, surveying his domain. We suspect eagles nest nearby. 

Later, at our favourite picnic area near Bubbling Springs, we had a leisurely lunch before we stopped by the lighthouse at Covehead. There we walked past the lighthouse onto the beach and under the nearby overpass. 

Across the inlet, a flock of Double-crested Cormorants congregated. It always amazes me how tattered the birds can be, yet they manage to fly so well. I wonder how the most tattered ones do during their migration south which will begin soon?

Our walks this week included the Confederation Trail with Daisy, the golden grand-dog, before she went home. We spotted this old building, nestled into the countryside. 

It may collapse from the snow this coming winter. What stories can the old place tell?

I was lucky to photograph this White-throated Sparrow along the boardwalk. The Sparrows are in abundance there this time of year.

The birds, as tiny as they are, are just as interesting as the Great Blue Herons, but much harder to spot and photograph.

On our recent visit to the national park at Covehead, driving along the parkway, I counted at least 30 Great Blue Herons in Covehead Bay. It is impossible to stop there so I couldn’t photograph the beauties. However, the Heron which frequents the salt marsh along the boardwalk in Summerside was present this past week and I managed some photos again.

My favourite was taken from the bridge looking towards the marsh where the bird stealthily fished.

Another day, the Heron waved from a tree top which is a rare photo in this area.

Along the boardwalk, the trees have the look of early autumn. We will head to some of our favourite trails to see the autumn colour over the next month.

We are fortunate to be able to enjoy the beauty and variety on our island home.

*You can see Helen’s blog at http://outandabout3.blogspot.com/. 

September discoveries

Our past week started with a picnic in the community of Cape Egmont. We had driven along the Evangeline shoreline of Prince Edward Island, and stopped at the Cap Egmont lighthouse. The sea stack there is another favourite of my husband and I and we like to observe it seasonally.

This year, the size of both openings in the stack continues to grow and the first part of the stack visible from shore has two faces. 

Can you see them? We will be interested to see how they change this coming winter.

The Double-crested Cormorants have enjoyed the stack this year if the guano is any indication. 

The birds perch on the stack between their fishing flights along the shoreline.

This nearby cove, accessible via a narrow path and chain to hold was beyond the risk we would take, though I wanted to try it.

The shoreline has Goldenrod and Asters in abundance and the lighthouse is a wonderful backdrop.

At Cape Egmont, Arsenault Pond is a beautiful setting for a picnic.

A trail around the pond goes through the wildflowers such as Fireweed and Joe Pye Weed all gone to seed.

A fish ladder on the pond was busy that day as little fish were on their way down stream.

Just below the ladder, a Great Blue Heron knew of the fish too. You can bet it wasn’t his first day in this location.

We walked the boardwalk this past week as well. One location along the boardwalk is frequented by a flock of European Starlings. The chatty birds sometimes hang out in the trees in that area or among the seaweed along the shoreline below. 

Later this past week we cared for the golden grand-dog, Daisy again. She keeps us on our toes! It is cooler weather now so we didn’t take Daisy to the beach. Instead all of our walks were on the Confederation Trail, where we saw a few interesting things.

We expect this bird, probably a duck, fell prey to a raptor. 

Of course Daisy discovered it along the way. Only feathers remained around a headless body cavity. That predator was efficient! The tail feathers on this bird were beautifully coloured.

Also along the trail we discovered two tiny garter snakes. It looked like they had been run over by bikes. The tiny creatures would have been difficult to see as one rode along. We had never seen such small Garter Snakes.

The fields along the trail are near harvest time, potatoes having been sprayed, waiting for harvesting. Corn fields are tall and provide beautiful texture to the wildflowers bordering the fields.

Meanwhile, this young dog, along for a walk to use up some of the energy she has in abundance, can run free on the trail when no other walkers or bikers are around. The faithful creature, runs ahead as fast as she can, stops suddenly and looks around, checking on the two seniors walking along behind her. 

We smile and walk on…

  

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!