Hazy summer days

It has been cooler this past week, and most days the island breeze has been lovely. I finished the week with the worst migraine I ever had and the source was unknown. It took two days to pass. As I’ve aged, migraines have become infrequent but this one made up for the missing. I don’t want a repeat any time soon. The headache curtailed our activity for two days this past week which was not to our liking.

The smoke from wildfires in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia was particularly bad the last few days. You could even smell it in the air as the wind brought the smoke across the Northumberland Strait. 

This time of year, Bonaparte’s Gulls enjoy the day along the shoreline of Bedeque Bay where they feed to ready themselves for the long flight south. The tiny Gulls, some mature with their black heads, are accompanied by the younger birds who have but a black dot on each side of their heads.

This time of year, fields of wheat and other crops yield to the harvest. On our recent walks on the Confederation Trail, my husband and I watched hay brought to a barn at a farm where three horses reside. 

The animals were interested in the proceedings as was the family dog. They stayed where the tractor was working and checked out the hay afterwards. Scenes of the baled hay in the fields are among my favourite harvest scenes.

Buckwheat was being cut in some of the fields as well. On Prince Edward Island, buckwheat is grown in rotation in potato fields where it is cut before it goes to seed.

It suppresses weeds, improves soil quality and suppresses pests. 

A flock of Cedar Waxwings enjoyed the berries along the trail where various types of berries are ripening now. 

Mountain ash berries and raspberries are plentiful along the trail. Lots of apples of various sizes are ripening too.

In the salt marsh, it looked like the Bald Eagles had been busy catching lunch again as feathers covered various areas of the marsh.

We saw Solitary Sandpipers 

several times last week as well as mature and younger Ruddy Turnstones. 

Meanwhile the wildflowers never fail to grab my attention. The Fireweed or Rosebay Willowherb sways in the breeze, ready to spread its cotton-like seed into the air. 

Aster has taken its place in succession and sits beside Joe Pye Weed or Goldenrod in various locations.

There are 87,000 acres of potatoes in the fields of the island this year. Presently the plants are parched since rain has been lacking the last month or more. Growth and yield may be affected this year.

The golden grand-dog, Daisy is visiting for a few days this week while her family is camping. She will keep us busy. Two walks a day may be the new norm.

I hope you have a great week!