Hello November

Last week was wild, weather-wise at least, with several windy wet days, some of which kept us in the house. The annual Hallowe’en celebration was delayed for a day but even then, the wind was howling. At least it didn’t rain on the children that evening.

My husband and I enjoyed the local Rotary Trail early last week, where exposed areas had already lost most of their leaves.

Yet, in more protected areas, some leaves held on and were stunning.

It rained so hard another day, we walked the track at the recreation facility/conference centre in Summerside known as Credit Union Place. It is a beautiful facility with a walking track, 

two ice surfaces, a bowling alley and gym, conference rooms and more. We walk the track on occasion but prefer walking outdoors when at all possible. 

The last several weeks, my husband and I have walked at least one day per week on a trail with some elevation to help improve our cardio health. 

Last week we returned to Tyne Valley to a trail we did last spring. We both saw an improvement in our performance on that trail so our efforts appear to be paying off. 

That day at Tyne Valley was sunny and our walk along the river trail was a beautiful combination of October leaves and November branches as seen in this photo.

The presence of the evergreens lining the river bank and the water reflecting the bare deciduous trees feel like nature’s way of easing us into the reality of November.

The leaf-covered trail was crunchy under foot and as we walked, some of the last leafy hold-outs fell around us. It was a treat for the senses as sight, sound and smell of the autumn forest all came together.

We shared the trail with rodents, several squirrels busy collecting food and chipmunks disappearing under the leaves to avoid the human intruders.

Closer to the ground, in areas less affected by the wind, there were locations where some leaves, especially maples still clung to young trees. 

Last week, we also enjoyed the activity of a Bald Eagle several times, as it hunted along the shoreline of Bedeque Bay in Summerside. 

Yesterday the bird sat atop a tree in a place we hadn’t seen it before.

However, humans frequent this whole area and obviously the eagle tolerates us. 

Along that shoreline, the rose bushes and other shrubs are colourful for another week or two,

beautiful against the autumn sky.

We spotted a Gadwall in the Trout River last week 

and locally, a hybrid duck, part Mallard, part Black Duck, enjoyed the salt marsh. 

The marsh is flooded enough now to support over forty ducks.

Finally this week, a shout-out to the Blue Jays. Thanks for a spectacular season!

Have a great week!

Autumn Magic

My husband and I spent some time this past week enjoying leaf-covered trails and roads around our area of Prince Edward Island. A street in Summerside which is lined with numerous maple trees, is a great place for a walk any time of year, but especially in October. Now as you walk along, leaves are falling all around. Sunlight through the trees shines a spotlight on various shots of colour. The result feels almost magical.

We had two picnics during our travels, one of which was at Cavendish Grove, one of our favourite places on the island. The picnic tables are placed throughout the Grove for another few weeks 

and bikers and walkers passed nearby as we enjoyed our picnic in the afternoon sun.

While there, I checked out the area of the glade nearby which was beautiful prior to post tropical storm Fiona but was devastated by that storm. I was pleasantly surprised to see that park personnel had worked on the glade so that one could enjoy part of the area again. While not returned to its original glory, the autumn setting was a wonder with its ceiling of leaves

and its maple flooring. 

Walls of colour appeared to dance in the sunlight and complete the decor. 

A Chipmunk enjoyed its lunch as I admired its home.

Another day, we had a picnic at Scales Pond after a walk along the Dunk River. It was cool that day, just 12 degrees C but without any wind, we enjoyed the stillness of the pond. The picnic table overlooked the water where fishers paddled in the quiet scene below. 

Three weeks previously we had walked along the Dunk River during the early autumn colour. Last week, the trail was understandably busy with hikers enjoying the day and the leafy offerings at every turn. 

This time, the forest floor was covered as many of the trees along the river trail had already shed their colours. Meanwhile, across the river, many of the trees were yet to shed, creating scenes which required photos. 

It was slow going but a spirit-lifting walk with oohs and aahs at every turn.

Another day, we visited the Millman Road, a Heritage red country road through farmland. The red soil is leaf covered now in many places, leaves blending with the soil in nature’s partnership. 

This tunnel of light and shadows draws us onward through the crunch of leaves underfoot. At the top of the hill another scene mesmerizes and as my husband walks ahead, I attempt to take it in. 

We walked the length of road and headed back to the car as a neighbourhood cat watched and listened in a field for lunch.

On the way home, we passed French River and the countryside looked peaceful, fields resting after their summer’s work is done.

Closer to home, we found a field where a huge flock Canada Geese spend afternoons. The sounds of these birds, especially at take-off is a natural wonder.

We also walked the boardwalk this past week, where over forty ducks in the marsh can be observed chasing one another or “standing” as if to show off.

Finally, these Blue Jays are prepared, like the baseball team. 

Have a great week.

This past week was beautiful, even though we had rain for three days. We’ve needed rain for months and to finally have some was a relief. We continued to walk the boardwalk through cool drizzle and wind which made for invigorating walks. Such days usually ended by the fire which we lit recently for the season. 

Before the rain last week we went to Bonshaw Park to walk the hills. My husband and I are spoiled walking in the Summerside area which is a flat landscape. While we walk every day, the Bonshaw Hills were a challenge as my poor heart can testify. However, I survived and plan to visit Bonshaw more often. 

The West River flows through the park at Bonshaw and is a favourite fishing spot of many. 

There are a few stairways among the hills as well. 

Of course, the beauty of the area is a reason to stop periodically this time of year.

In places the trail is leaf covered and requires care in walking 

since the roots of trees may be reaching across the trail and be invisible.

We also walked the Rotary Friendship Trail in Summerside this past week. The ferns continue to rust 

as walls of colour are evident at every turn. 

Meanwhile, along the boardwalk, the male Bald Eagle has sub-let the Osprey nest and is in residence periodically. 

He ignored the Canada Geese which flew overhead as I photographed him.

On the home front, the resident Red Fox which lives in our area, 

usually only visible on our security camera, rested in the sun across the street one morning. It was interesting to see its stand-off with a neighbourhood cat. The fox was aware of the cat before the cat knew of the fox. The cat turned into the trees and the fox just stood its ground.

Along the boardwalk, the morning shadows mute the autumn colour as the geese overhead in the distance fill the air with their honking. 

On the bay, a young Herring Gull enjoys a meal of crab.

As always, the maple leaves are brilliant in variety and colour. We will probably enjoy their presence for another week.

I hope you have a wonderful week.