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/.
35 comments:
As usual, wonderful pictures for me to enjoy of your delightful environment. Thank you once again, and I love that waving heron!
Such a fine variety of interesting photos, including but not restricted to the waving heron. I was interested to see the divided path, and much more.
Beautiful photos, Marie. I particularly liked the old building and the stealthy heron who was fishing.
I hope your Australian friends are having a great time in PEI! I will check out Helen's blog.
Marie I never tire of seeing the beauty of your island home. Especially enjoy seeing the photos of your birds. We do not have cormorants in our part of the world. Hope your October will be wonderful.
What a wonderful photo of the sparrow. Such dramatic coastlines
A lovely walk on an overcast day. Nice to see all those herons. There id one lonely heron fishing for his dinner in the pond near here every evening, I'd love to know where he goes when it's bedtime.
The quiet is beautiful.
What a lovely moody sky's day you had.
The 3rd photo is a real wall hanger. I love everything about it.
Seeing the one white gull among all the cormorants is a great capture too.
Love the sweet sparrow posing for you among the grasses.
Sue
You have an amazing talent for photography, Marie. Your photos are simply stunning :)
The old weathered building is a beauty. Love the herons, they are such beautiful birds.
You got some great bird shots! Love the first sand dune picture as well.
What a lovely day despite the rainy start! It sounds like a beautiful adventure with stunning views and interesting wildlife. Those Bald Eagles and the cormorants must have been amazing to see in their natural habitat!
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You don't want to miss fall. changes take place in a hurry.
Beautiful walk and lovely scenery. I love the water views and lighthouse and the birds are favorites too. Awesome capture of the Eagle. Take care, have a great day!
you have hosted so many blogging friends, that is so kind of you!! your pictures today are spectacular, the first one stupendous!! the bald eagle stole the show for me, but the little sparrow and the shots of the herons are a very close second!! the old building in the countryside is another winner!! our skies have been gray for days!!
As always a beautiful and meticulously labelled sea and sky. The whitethroat was amazing, btw. I have never seen one even though I hear them every spring and summer.
I love the autumn colours. Beautiful!
The photos from Tracadie were very dramatic under those cloud banks, Marie, and the amazing that remains of the fishing wharf are still there. The second photo was quite dramatic and well lit. The cormorants did look a bit the worse for wear but thankfully can still fly. That old building was a treasure to spot.
You really captured some great shots of the birds. It is really rare in my parts to spot an Eagle. He is so right out there. Daisy gets some good walking with you guys!! She is a wonderful grand dog!!
I so enjoy your photos and your sharing your are. Like you, I wonder about birds with tattered wings, and does it make it harder for them to fly. And actually I need to google shy do birds wings get so tattered.
Wonderful photos of the White-Throated Sparrow and the Heron. Beautiful sights to visit in your area, and autumn is a great time to explore. Happy October!
Such a gorgeous place, so unlike where I live. I love the heron waving!
A wonderful day at Grand Tracadie. Marie. I loved that low cloud and the atmosphere it created. Another very special day in your company.
I don't know why. But I like the color the sand.
Okay, the one heron looks like he is waving! lol....I always enjoy my walks along your beaches. What great pics. Love the sand and anytime you can fit natural stuff into the pic, like wood, water, sand.....I love it.
A perfect collection of images! Wonderful!!
What a vivid and beautifully detailed account of your trip to Covehead and Tracadie Beach! Your descriptions make it easy to visualize the stunning scenery and the wildlife you encountered. It sounds like a lovely day despite the weather, especially with such fascinating sightings, from the Bald Eagle to the Great Blue Herons. It’s wonderful how nature offers so many stories and moments to cherish!
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Beautiful photography. Hard to pick a favorite, but I do like that old barn. So much character!
What a magical place to walk.
All of your photos are wonderful, as usual, but the one of the weathered pylons really does it for me. I would have to have that framed and hanging on the wall. Really beautiful and artistic.
Your encounters with the Great Blue Herons are captivating, especially the stealthy fishing moment you captured. Herons always seem so majestic, and I can understand why they’re such a draw for birdwatchers. The fact that you also spotted a White-throated Sparrow along the boardwalk highlights the variety of life in these environments—it's always a thrill to find those smaller, often overlooked birds.
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I love the picture of that old building! I cannot help but think about the love and labor that went into that building and everything it has gone through in its lifetime.
Such a beautiful area your pictures are always spectacular. We hope to get your area next spring or summer.
Cathy
amazing shots dear Marie
the blue heron shot is wonderful wow !!
loved the balled eagle and sparrow images as well
how nice to walk with blog friends
thanks for making my day !!!!!!!!!
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