Temperatures have dropped making warmer clothes a necessity. My husband and I have probably had our last picnic for the year but our outings will continue. Late last week, it was a windy, overcast day on the boardwalk but in the distance in the Northumberland Strait, we could see the sun had broken through the cloud, making a streak of brilliance on the sea.
I have noticed the tree behind this bench every time we walk the boardwalk.
Over seven days, the tree went from green to yellow.
Another sign of the advancing autumn is the coming end of the lobster season this year. One day last week, I saw a boat in the distance near the Confederation Bridge. I tested the limit of my camera and my ability to hold the camera steady to take this photo.
One calm day this past week, we drove to Water Street to see if there were any Great Blue Herons along the shoreline.
We counted twenty of the birds in the area which, with the rising tide, began to disperse.
One flew along the shoreline towards the salt marsh where we normally see a Great Blue.
This past week we saw numerous ducks in the marsh. One day, a flock of small ducks, Green-winged Teals,
enjoyed the marsh, along with the usual Mallards
and Black Ducks.
Along the shoreline, some of the smallest gulls in the world, the Bonaparte’s were in a line behind the largest species, a Great Black-backed Gull.
There is a huge variation in size among gulls.
We met with our friends, Helen and Frank this past week and walked a part of the Rotary Trail in Summerside, through the colourful autumn canopy.
Maples are a big part of the forest in the area and the Striped Maples are in various stages of autumn splendor.
Some are still green while others are translucent yellow before they fall onto the trail. The Red Maples make a pretty covering on the forest floor too.
Along that trail, Helen spotted an American Toad, a great discovery camouflaged among the autumn leaves.
Finally this week, our daughter took this photo of the Aurora Borealis.
The colours were bright enough to lighten the night sky to resemble day. We have never seen such brilliant colours though we’ve seen the Aurora numerous times, especially when we lived in Buchans, Newfoundland.
P.S.
Helen and Frank are leaving the island this week, beginning their journey back to Australia. We will miss them and look forward to their return next summer. Safe journey, friends!
34 comments:
I think the herons were attending a convention convened to discuss the affairs of humans. Pretty soon they all concluded that was a waste of good fishing time and they all flew away!
It is fun to take stock of all the fall changes and the bench as a marker is brilliant. Love all your photos and especially the frog.
Love your photos of the fallen autumn leaves and the toad!
Marie, Wow, so many great images in this post … impossible for me to choose a favorite. Many thanks to your daughter for sharing her photo of the Aurora Borealis … simply an amazing photo. Then, the Red Maple leaves … that is one of the best photos I’ve seen in a long time. Hi-5 on that one! The comparison of the tree behind the bench … green to yellow … excellent. Lastly, I have been so impressed with your (relatively) new camera. What a great shot of the boat in the distance near the Confederation Bridge. You nailed it! Congrats on another great post! John
PS - Almost forgot ... Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours! Hope you have a great day!
Another fine walkabout or three.
I have never seen that many herons in an entire week...let alone in one area at one time! I would have been so excited. I would enjoy watching the lobster boats taking off in season and returning at the end.
You got some lovely photos. Nature is amazing. Thanks for sharing.
Absolutely beautiful.
www.rsrue.blogspot.com
Oh my! That is the best aurora shot I have seen. And all those herons. We have a spot where they nest, and a friend with patience and a blind got shots of a pair building a nest, but I have never imagined that many together. It is your first shot, though, that has my heart.
That aurora shot is brilliant (literally and figuratively). I liked walking with you too. A lot. 20 herons? A red letter day. As would seeing a toad. Thank you.
Nature sure loves where you live. I love that you and your husband go out and see the changing of the seasons and all of the birds too. Those gulls are really tiny. I have never seen any like that.
Great capture of the oncoming boat too. Camera did fine and you are a great photographer...that toad is proof.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
Sue
Oops forgot to say how stunning the Aurora photos are. I have never seen them and feel a tinge of envy.
Sue
I love the Aurora photo, it's stunning. That's a lot of Herons gathered together, I usually see one or two.
The colours of the Aurora are amazing.
We've no real maples here and I always think we lose out because there is so little red in our fall colours. Lots of yellow and orange though. With the frost overnight this week, the trees are quickly losing their leaves.
The little frog is cute - smart to be in the woods and away from the herons. :)
I haven't seen a frog for ages.
Seasons are in control of what we do.
Beautiful!
That's a great image of the oncoming boat with the Confederation Bridge in the distance. And all of those herons together look like they are cooking up some mischief.
I love the change of seasons.
isn't mother nature amazing!! the changing seasons and the colors they bring. the migration of birds, right on schedule!! everything is so beautiful today but the northern lights stole the show, they were seen in this area also but i missed them!!
It is lovely watching nature transition into Fall. Everything becomes a potential photo. You captured it well!
Hello Marie,
What a beautiful collection of photos. I love the shots of the GB Herons , the gulls, the ducks and the toad. Your daughter's capture of the Aurora is beautiful. We saw some here this past Thursday, it was mostly red/pink in color. Take care, have a great day and a happy week ahead.
ran some errands yesterday and was happy to see that some of the leaves are turning yellow.
Great photos all. The frog is a charmer for sure.
I went out to look for the Aurora but too many street lights lighting up the sky on my street. And I was in my PJs so didn't want to roam very far. Love the toad! And this morning was the first morning I had to fire up the furnace.
So many 'wow's. The aurora, the tiny gulls, the herons, the leaves, the toad!
The Northern Lights are something I have long wanted to see. The photo here is beautiful. There was a time when I was planning a trip to Iceland in order to see them, but, as happens, life sent me in a different direction. Last week they were available to be seen in my area, which is pretty far south from where they’re generally seen. I believe the best view was at 1 o’clock in the morning, so I missed it.
Your reflections on nature's beauty during this transitional season are lovely! It sounds like you and your husband are making the most of the changing weather with your outings. The transformation of that tree from green to yellow perfectly captures the essence of autumn, and your photos of the Great Blue Herons and ducks must have been a delight to witness.
It’s wonderful that you could enjoy the colorful maples with friends on the Rotary Trail, and what a treat to spot the American Toad! The Aurora Borealis sounds absolutely stunning—what a magical experience to see such vibrant colors light up the night sky. It’s bittersweet to say goodbye to friends like Helen and Frank, but it sounds like you’ll have wonderful memories to hold onto until their return next summer. Thank you for sharing these beautiful moments!
Read my new blog post. Wishing you a happy weekend!
Marie, so many wonderful images, as per usual, especially your cranes and the carpet of leaves in Rotary Park. Thank you for the special times we share each time we visit.
Sorry, not cranes, herons!
Beautiful photos of the changing season. Dang your daughter's photo is fabulous!
I always enjoy your pictures of the ducks and birds. And those leaves are gorgeous! I love the Aurora Borealis picture! Some places in our area were able to see it but we didn't.
thanks for mentioning the variation of gulls species .i could have wrong them as baby gulls otherwise
splendid photos all dear Marie
each makes my moment of exploration along with you :) hugs
The colors of the sky are so beautiful. Many people in our area saw the Aurora Borealis last week but we didn't.
Post a Comment