Last week was a busy one but my husband and I managed to a visit to the Dunk River Trail and Scales Pond where we enjoyed a picnic.
Otherwise we walked the boardwalk during a week when temperatures fluctuated, the wind blew and we walked between the raindrops.
The Dunk River Trail is one of our favourites on the island and the trail is well groomed and ready for the season. Soon, as the trees erupt with leaves for another short growing season, the beauty of this trail will surround hikers. Meanwhile we enjoyed the sound of the river and everything around us.
There are dozens of fallen trees along the river and some show evidence of the Spruce Bark Beetle, which left a worm-like track in the wood.
Butterfly season has begun and this Mourning Cloak was flitting about as we followed along,
attempting to capture it digitally.
The tapping of Woodpeckers accompanies the sound of the river. One Hairy Woodpecker appears to be accustomed to people on the trail and starts lower down on this favourite tree.
This time of year, male Mallards are on their own as females are nesting.
In Scales Pond, Double-crested Cormorants float by or dive for food. One jumped on some wood in the pond and spread its wings to dry.
A Canada Goose nearby doesn’t need to spread its wings however.
Meanwhile, on the boardwalk, a Snowshoe Hare hopped towards my husband one day.
The Hare stopped and stared for a few minutes before moving along. We hope it avoided the Bald Eagles which hunt in the area.
The male Red-winged Blackbirds are in fine voice again as they overlook their domain.
On Mother’s Day every year, we enjoy the first lobsters of the season. Yesterday was no exception. They were so good!
Finally this week, I want to thank all the dance teachers who work so diligently and do such great work teaching our children the movement and joy of dance.
Last weekend we watched Ballet Jörgen perform in Summerside. Our eldest granddaughter was part of the production of Sleeping Beauty which included local dance students. The music, costumes and movement take one on a beautiful journey for a few hours.
Our granddaughter was a two year old watching a video of the Nutcracker Ballet, exposed to it by her mother who always loved the story and watched the ballet too. However, her daughter wanted to dance and has taken lessons since she was three. At fourteen, she hopes to do point this year. Dance is in this young woman’s soul. A great dance teacher has trained and nurtured her love of dance. We thank her and all dance teachers for their great work.
34 comments:
That hare has ginormous feet.
I am glad that despite your busy week you found/made time for both nature and family.
What a lovely glimpse into your week—your joy in nature, family, and tradition shines through so warmly. The river trail and boardwalk sound like peaceful sanctuaries this time of year, and your respect for the changing seasons and wildlife is inspiring. And how wonderful to see your granddaughter’s passion for dance flourish; it’s a testament to both family influence and the dedication of great teachers. Thank you for sharing these moments.
Hello,
What a lovely outing, looks like a great place for a picnic.
Great captures of the birds, I like the Woodpecker, ducks and the Cormorant and the Hare is cute. It is sad to see the beetle is killing the trees. The butterfly is lovely. Happy Monday, have a wonderful week!
Everything looks so perfect in your pictures. Those lobsters look enormous!
How wonderful that your granddaughter has been able to pursue her love of dance!
The hare stopped for the photo shoot !!
What a pleasant time you both had.
Lobsters !!! My favourite.
That sounds like an awesome week topped off by a great mother's day lobster dinner!
Dance On My Dear - Beautifully Captured Moments In Time
Stat Strong ,
Cheers
It's great that you get out often. Then with a good eye you see some interesting things. Many people walk by what you see. thanks for sharing what you come across.
Hello Marie :) Lovely nature encounters on your walk. The Mourning Cloak butterfly is stunning.
Marie - I have never seen Snowshoe Hare. He has the prettiest legs and feet. Looks bigger that our bunnies here. I too hope he stays away from the Eagle's eye. Looks like you are finally enjoying some very lovely weather. Ah is not May the best? Have a great week - Hugs!
Oh Marie, I always enjoy seeing your blog and the critters that bless the boardwalks. That Hare is huge. What a treasure to see one.
Ummm, those lobsters look so good. I think I am drooling. Lucky you to have them fresh.
Enjoy your week and beautiful walks and picnics.
Sue
Happy Mother's Day!
I am always so amazed by young people who figure out what their passion is early in life. Best wishes to your granddaughter!
Love the photos of the birds and critters on your walks!
Wow, I'm impressed by the huge feet of the hare. Glad your granddaughter is enjoying her passion for dancing. It's good to be out and about enjoying nature again. Thanks for sharing and have a wonderful week
Lovely photos. It was be wonderful to be able to watch your granddaughter dance.
Amazing photos! My daughter also danced for 15 years. She loved it. Congratulations to you granddaughter.
You caught some great pictures along that trail. The Mourning Cloak is perfect! As a teacher you always hope to inspire your students to love of what you're teaching.
Those hare-y feet look huge! I am always impressed by your photos.
What joy to have a young dancer in the family. I saw my first live ballet last year, and was enthralled by the beauty as well as by the athleticism required.
I bet the lobster was good.
I’m glad that your granddaughter is going to on in dance. So many don’t. Ours didn’t.
Island has surly awaken fully from the white sleep dear Marie and ready to wear its lush dazzling green dress embroidered with so many beautiful colours 🥰
These are joyous times,life chirping like a song sparrow 🤗♥️
Loved each shot so much 👍🥰
The story of your very talented and incredibly intelligent granddaughter sounds inspiring and fascinating 🥰♥️
I can imagine the joy and pride of her family ♥️🙏
Marie,
What a post so full of grace -
May’s delight in every place!
From rain-kissed trails where rivers sing,
To Mourning Cloaks on fleeting wing.
A woodpecker taps with rhythmic cheer,
As mallards float, no mates near.
The cormorant dries its wings out wide,
While hares on boardwalks softly glide.
And lobsters, served with love and glee,
Mark Mother’s Day beside the sea.
But sweetest note in this refrain
Is dance - the joy that can’t remain
Confined to stage or practiced floor,
It lives in hearts and spirits soar.
So here’s to teachers guiding feet,
With patience, poise, and rhythm sweet.
Your granddaughter’s dream, so brightly spun,
Is just beginning - it’s just begun.
John
Beautiful digital captures of some of the creatures that live in your neighbourhood. The Snow Hare is lovely with his long legs and large feet. Spring's awakening is such a wonderful time.
Love the story of the dancing dream. Teachers can have such influence.
Marie, another lovely walk shared with the birds and a bunny and what long legs too! The lobsters looked wonderful and so colorful.
As always, I enjoy my tour around with you. Picnic, man I have not done one of them in FOREVER. Gosh, I can't even remember the last time. I bet you have a great time.
Those lobsters look good! Well done to your daughter for encouraging and enabling grand-daughter in her dancing. And the white back paws of that hare look enormous!
What a gorgeous hike. The white feet of the snowshoe hare really stand out!
wow...nature at it's finest!! awesome images, such a great collection of pictures of the area you call home. you have really had a lovely may so far, aren't we lucky!! the hare photos are just too adorable, i don't think i have ever seen one!! the lobster look amazing, my mouth is watering!!
The hare is so handsome with it's lovely white legs. It's so good that your granddaughter has been able to pursue her passion. What a lovely poem from John.
You got some great photos, can't believe that the hare let you photograph him.
that hare is amazing. Love his/her feet. And the birds! The woodpecker is so pretty. Your mallards look a lighter colour than ours here in australia - interesting.
That hare looks a little lost I think. It's always great when something unexpected (but good!) walks along the path towards you.
Cheers - Stewart M - just back from Europe!
I love that dance is in her soul. The snap of the goose with wings open is very cool. And I love the rabbit. I never saw one with legs like that before. Very, very cool.
Lobsters! They are beauties! I recently saw a recipe for a steak topped with shrimp and lobster sauce, and I’ve been thinking about lobster ever since.
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