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Sunday 27 October 2024

Through the leaves

This past week started at the Dunk River Trail in central Prince Edward Island. The trail is one of the most beautiful on the island and draws us for a walk there with the changing seasons. Our autumn visit is our favourite for obvious reasons. We always park near where the Dunk flows out of Scales Pond, which looked particularly serene last week.





The entrance to the trail is deceptive. The trees at the entrance were green still, which is hugely different from what one encounters after passing under these green sentinels. The trail was leaf covered with promises of more to come. 





Overhead, the blue sky was a perfect backdrop for the reds, yellows and oranges clinging to their mother branches. 





The river moved to the rhythm of the earth as it rippled through the shadows, 





the remaining leaves casting a red glow here, yellow there. We stood in awe at the scene. AI did not generate this wonder.





We also visited the Cavendish area again last week for a picnic in the Grove on a sunny autumn day. Although the wind was blowing a gale, the Grove is sheltered and peaceful. The photo shows the view from our picnic table.





Later we drove along the coast to North Rustico where several huge flocks of Canada Geese greeted us in several locations, this one in the harbour at North Rustico. 





We had an abbreviated walk along the boardwalk there but the wind made walking difficult. You can see from the grasses and bushes in the photo the strength of the wind.





Along the boardwalk in Summerside this past week, one day was particularly calm and we watched the gulls and crows argue over food the gulls drop from heights to break the shells for the morsels inside. I fully expect the crows to start gathering and dropping the shells like the gulls though their beaks may not be able to do it. Crows are intelligent enough to know what to do however.





A Solitary Sandpiper is still feeding in the salt marsh and a male Red-winged Blackbird gathered seeds left along the bridge by walkers. This is late for both species to be here on the island especially since temperatures have plummeted the last few days.


One common winter species here, Black-capped Chickadees, are busy in the trees these days and it is common to see groups of them gathering seeds, like the one below.





Autumn is a great time for fungi too. We have seen numerous mushrooms which we sometimes can’t identify. This Tinder Polypore on a tree trunk is easy to identify though since it resembles a horse’s hoof.





I’ll close this week with a photo of a pumpkin left at the entrance to the Dunk River Trail. The sunlight filtered through the leaves and cast on the tree make an ethereal body for the pumpkin.




Have a wonderful week everyone!



40 comments:

Debra She Who Seeks said...

What a magnificent autumn walk on the Dunk River Trail!

Anvilcloud said...

The colours and reflections in that one photo were quite special.

MARY G said...

The two photos that you took along the river are a marvel. Love the muted colours and the way the water varies them. And bless the people who do sweet small things like that pumpkin.

John's Island said...

Marie, thanks for taking us along on your delightful visit to the Dunk River Trail. So many great photos! I can’t resist commenting on image #5 … an award winner if ever there was one. AI couldn’t improve on that image, period. Quick question, if you have time … Image #7, the harbour at North Rustico … what is that across the water … looks like maybe an old barn or building being allowed to naturally deteriorate? Lastly, wow, the Tinder Polypore … absolutely looking like a horse’s hoof. Just an excellent post, thanks for sharing! John

Boud said...

Wonderful scenes, thank you!

Marie Smith said...

John, I, too, wondered about that wall in the background of the geese photo. It looks like the remnants of a barn or house, the last wall of which refuses to fall. I will be interested to see if it survives the winter,

aurora said...

Water reflections are among my fav thing to photograph. Enhances the beauty. Your timing is awesome on bird photos! Chickadee's are the cutest (and friendliest) little birds. I look forward to seeing what your area has to offer each week. You capture natures wonder so well!!

photowannabe said...

Love the ghostly body for that pumpkin. Made me smile.
Oh my the trees on your walk are stunning. It is like you were walking in a cathedral and your description was almost musical.
Sue

Elephant's Child said...

Your autumn is GLORIOUS. Thank you so much for sharing the beauty.

Rose said...

Oh, that 5th photo! It is so wonderful. I wish I could follow in your foot steps to see what you see with my own eyes!

Celia said...

That's a beautiful trail. Got a good chuckle at the pumpkin on the end. Loved it. Autumn is truly here. I really enjoy your photos.

Bill said...

Awesome photos, Marie. Autumn is looking magnificent through your camera.

Helen said...

Marie, thank you for taking me back to where "the river moved to the rhythm of the earth as it rippled through the shadows". Such descriptive words for the Dunk River trail. And yes, I too stood in awe when I visited 3 weeks ago. I see the island has had its first splash of snow. I hope the cold doesn't continue and you can continue your wonderful rambings in your favourite places of nature. I love that ethereal pumpkin.

Red said...

Being outdoors is great. You have to keep active and interested in what's going on.

Joanne Noragon said...

Such a beautiful autumn you are having.

DJan said...

Another delightful walk with you. Thank you for all the pictures, I especially love the chickadee and the serene spot you had for lunch.

Maebeme said...

The Dunk River trail provided such beauty. The last photo there is absolutely stunning.
The chickadees are back here too, and the grackles have left. Winter is coming, but we've had some lovely days - I mowed for the last time yesterday.

At Home In New Zealand said...

That fifth photo is like a beautiful painting! I love the way you describe the autumn with its leaves. I could feel myself being transported there by your words and photos :)

John's Island said...

Thanks, Marie.

tz_garden said...

The Dunk River trail may be the most beautiful fall photos I've ever seen. What a magical place, thank you for sharing.

peppylady (Dora) said...

I love kicking leaves on ground. Most of our tree in yard is bare.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful!! You take the loveliest pictures , thank you
Cathy

David M. Gascoigne, said...

Fungi are very challenging to identify, Marie, hence inordinately satisfying when you get it right.

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

It was great to see the beautiful colors still remaining, Marie, and the 5th photo from the top is beautiful. I am not a fan of AI and so appreciate natural beauty, thank you for sharing. The little pumpkin did indeed gain a body🎃

gluten Free A_Z Blog said...

OMG- The Dunk River Trail is extraordinarily beautiful. Thank you for sharing these beautiful photos!!

Danielle L Zecher said...

That trail is gorgeous. I can see why you love it.

Shammickite said...

I really think that autumn is definitely my favourite season. But then when spring comes along I say the new leaves and the daffodils make spring my favourite season. But the I remember the white snow and the frost on the trees glittering in the sunlight and winter is my favourite season.....

Pam said...

don't you just love those COLORS!! We have light green, yellow, orange, red, burnt red and of course, brown. We have trees just starting to turn and others that have been turned and the leaves are all gone. Without much rain through the summer and into the fall, I am surprised that our colors have been this good.

Barwitzki said...

It was wonderful walking with you.
Thanks for your great photos... it's still beautiful outside with autumn in its golden dress.
A hug for you.

Jim and Barb's Adventures said...

So beautiful!

Eggs In My Pocket said...

hahaha the little pumpkin in the tree made me smile! Your photos captured the loveliness of fall so well! The 5th photo with the golden trees along the river I have to say is my favorite. It would be a lovely painting!

Debbie said...

your area is gorgeous in autumn, every picture prettier than the next!! i have missed a little bit of fall here, but during the ride home from the hospital, i saw some beautiful trees, i wish i had felt well enough to stop for pictures. the tinder polypore is quite cool...and the tiny pumpkin in the tree, i like the smirk!!

Debbie said...

oooooh and the picnic, thrilled you were able to enjoy that!!

Granny Sue said...

Just stunning. That one of the river, with all the yellows...wow.

Spare Parts and Pics said...

Wow, award-winning photos here! I think #5 is my favorite. Golden wonderland!

Pattie @ Olla-Podrida said...

Interesting mushroom. I’ve never heard of that kind before, but it certainly does look like a horse hoof.

Penghuni 60 said...

amazing photos

eileeninmd said...

A lovely spot for your walk. The Autumn trees and colorful leaves are beautiful. The little pumpkin is cute and I love the Chickadee.
Beautiful views and landscapes. Take care, have a great weekend.

The Happy Whisk said...

Stunning Autumn photographs. Loved the pumpkin. So cute.

Hena Tayeb said...

So many beautiful pictures.. I love the one by the river.