Out and about in August

Last week was beautiful on Prince Edward Island in spite of the tremendous heat during the early part of the week. We had the hottest day ever recorded here, at 39.5 C or 103 F. The humidity made it feel warmer. However, the island breeze was blowing  and made the heat bearable. It was lovely in the house with windows open and the breeze blowing through. By Thursday, the air had cooled and with the breeze, it was comfortable. My husband and I walked early every day though to avoid the hottest hours.

One day, at low tide, Gulls were spread around the extended area of shoreline as if they owned the bay. The colours, texture of the sand and the water created an unusual sight which may never present itself in the same way again. We lingered over the scene.

As always, each day nature provided entertainment. We wished we had seen the reason this female Mallard was taking such a deed bow on her own stage. 

At the end of the show, Starlings left the marsh noisily as they usually do.

The bay was busy. Lobster season is well underway on the south coast of the island now and fishing boats crash through the rough seas to check their traps for the valuable crustaceans. The haze of the wildfires throughout Canada was present some days.

Another day, at low tide, a man and his dog enjoyed playing fetch in the bay. The dog’s enjoyment of retrieving the toy was obvious and fun to watch from the boardwalk. 

When I turned around to walk further on the trail, there was a Bald Eagle, atop the same snag as last week. Sometimes two of the birds land in the same place. 

I wondered if this bird was the same one as I had seen and photographed the previous week. I took copious photos to compare the two lots of pictures and discovered it probably is the same bird. 

There is a common mark in the same location in the left iris in the two birds photographed.

This time I captured the bird blinking, as its nictitating membrane closed over its eye. The largely transparent membrane protects the eye and keeps it clean.

The presence of the Bald Eagles on a fairly regular basis, makes me wonder if they are making meals of the ducks which frequent the salt marsh near where the Eagles hang out. 

There were a number of small young Green-winged Teals one days in the marsh. 

These are small ducks anyway but there were several young ones among the assembled birds. The next time we visited the area, lots of feathers covered the marsh and few Teals. 

We can’t help but think the Eagles dined there.

Mid week, we were entertained by a flock of Black-bellied Plovers. There were birds at various stages of development in the flock, such as this adult,

and these two younger birds. 

I was fortunate to be able to capture their markings in flight as well.

We also picked high bush blueberries this past Saturday with our daughter and grandchildren. The berries are juicy and delicious and so easy to pick. The kids love a Newfoundland recipe called blueberry grunt. 

The recipe makes a tasty blueberry jam into which you drop spoonfuls of dumplings. They cook in the jam. Our grandson loves them for breakfast.

Finally this week, our daughter, her husband and two of the children fished for mackerel which they use as a bait fish for bass. They fish for the mackerel near the Confederation Bridge. This was the scene last week one evening as the sun set. 

They caught a lot of fish that evening. My husband and I had some for a meal…so fresh and tasty.

May your week be a tasty one too!  

Through the haze

As of August 10th, there are well over a thousand wildfires burning across Canada. The smoke is evident in our area most of the time as haze visible in the distance. Air quality is affected as well and is a threat to vulnerable people. This was the scene yesterday morning in Bedeque Bay, as a tug assisted a barge out of port. The two vessels dwarf the fishing vessel nearby.

Earlier this week, looking towards two Great Blue Herons near shore, the haze in the distance is obvious. One wonders if the air quality is affecting the animals such as the birds.

The avians kept us entertained this past week however, as migration continues. Many stop on the island on their way south to warmer weather for the winter, like these four Yellowlegs.

Another day, a Solitary Sandpiper fed among Yellowlegs in the marsh.

I enjoyed watching this Green-winged Teal in the marsh. The little Teal looked to have discovered its reflection and was fascinated with it.

As always, a flock of European Starlings makes its presence known as they noisily fly from one location to another. They were particularly noisy one day last week when a Bald Eagle landed in the area. They stayed in this tree several minutes chattering while the Eagle was in residence.

That Eagle was impressive as it caught sight of something moving below the tree.

Walkers were stopping to observe the bird and once it looked in my direction. 

The red soil of the island has dyed its tail feathers and its claws are fearsome weapons. 

The beak is just as impressive. 

After some minutes, it called twice and flew off just after I walked away.

The birds along the boardwalk really enjoy cracked corn brought by many of the walkers. Some people leave the treat along the bridge railing where the birds will gather to eat their share. Various species gather there and I saw these three species on one occasion, Blue Jays, Blackbirds and a Starling.

Meanwhile, the pink Joe Pye Weed has joined Goldenrod along the borders of the boardwalk, as the succession of wildflower beauty continues. 

The bridge was obvious in the distance this past week.

Our federal government decreased bridge tolls from $50 down to $20 on leaving the island. The cost of ferry service was cut 50% as well. It is a significant decrease in cost for islanders and a popular change!

Have a great week.

Summer distractions

Last week was busy but lovely with many distractions. We walked the boardwalk, the Confederation Trail and enjoyed two provincial parks. Daisy was with us at Belmont Park and enjoyed playing in the water at high tide.

Most days were sunny with the wind blowing which made it perfect for picnics last week. The mosquitoes can’t compete with the wind which is always a bonus. 

Even when we don’t leave home for a picnic, we eat on our patio at every opportunity. We will have to move indoors soon enough when the temperature drops, the wind howls and the snow falls. Such is life in eastern Canada. For now though, meals are outside, under an umbrella or in a park under a tree. It is a beautiful time of year!

It was a great week in nature. Nearby a piece of land is for sale and the lot is covered in Queen Anne’s Lace. Walking past, with the breeze blowing the blooms, one is mesmerized by the white sea.

Along the boardwalk, in the salt marsh, Great Blue Herons drop by occasionally. This one looked to be laughing.

In Malpeque Bay later last week, this Great Blue had its mouth open too. Seeing two of these birds with open mouths was unusual, the second one looking as if it is in conversation.

Near the boardwalk is an Osprey nest which a pair of birds call home every summer. Early next month the birds will head south again, but for now they are raising their young which we expect to see any day. Meanwhile, the birds take turns watching the young ones and the mother had her eyes on something nearby as I took her photo from across the street. 

Twice last week we saw the same young fox on a lot between two houses across from the boardwalk. We wonder if people are feeding it.

The second time we saw it, two teeth were visible due to the way it was seated. We call it Boots because of its black legs.

One day, as I was stopped to talk to someone along the boardwalk, we watched as this adult Bald Eagle flew into an old snag it frequents. It flew off after a few minutes but not before I captured a photo.

One can see a tiny Black-capped Chickadee within minutes of seeing the huge Eagle. Birds are so varied, they make a wonderful study!

The island is alive with shorebirds now as numerous birds of various sizes stop on the island to feed in preparation for their journeys south. 

Yellowlegs are a common sight in the salt marsh and along the beach. They were joined this past week by Semipalmated Plovers, 

Black Bellied Plovers 

and Semipalmated Sandpipers. 

We will visit various beaches to see some of the avian visitors over the next month or more.

The scene at the wharf in Malpeque last week shows some boats still in the water although the lobster season is over in that area. Mussel boats are still active in the area.

We had a picnic at Cabot Beach and walked the shoreline as the tide went out. It is sad to see how much damage is done to the shoreline as the sand is washed away, leaving the vegetation to fall onto the beach. The rate of erosion is alarming.

I am happy to share some good news from the island too. Our daughter was Bass fishing last week and sent beautiful photos of the area on the north shore. She and her husband waited for low tide to walk to the sand bars. 

There were lots of migrating shorebirds there, including Piping Plovers. They are a threatened and endangered species which is increasing in numbers nesting on Prince Edward Island every year. 

I wish you a great week, filled with your favourite distractions.