Just Grand and an update

We stayed home a week after our booster shots, having stocked up on groceries just before that shot. I have issues with my back and haven’t been able to use the treadmill or bike during that time so I was feeling rather down and the weather wasn’t helping. The wind has been relentless and the cold with it precluded any outdoor photography. When the wind took a break, finally, we went to Grand River to see the ducks which gather there every winter. Ducks are among my favourite birds.

We were looking for Goldeneyes, Common and Barrow’s, but were thrilled to see so many American Black Ducks there. Hundreds of them were gathered over areas of open water by the bridges on the Grand River. That day, their nasal quacking sound carried through the air and was music to my ears. This photo, showing the white under their wings is one of my favourites. 

Most of the Goldeneyes there flew off when we stopped the car. However a few hung around with the Black Ducks and this male Common Goldeneye was obvious among its black friends. 

The female Barrow’s Goldeneye with its orange bill is front and centre of this photo.

Mallards were absent from the saltwater marsh by the boardwalk this past autumn, so I was thrilled to see them as well. The females are difficult to distinguish from the Black Ducks but one is obvious in the front left of this photo, with the male behind her with his familiar green head. In addition a female Common Merganser with its brown head and grey body was obvious too.

Nearby, domestic geese enjoyed the area too, oblivious to the human stood above them on the road, watching with interest. There are always domestic geese in this area every winter.

We drove along the river to another area of fast running water where both species of Goldeneyes were plentiful. But that’s another story.

Update:

Anyone who follows my blog knows that my husband and I recently took our golden grand-dog, Georgie, to the vet. She is doing well on the medication for arthritis.

On February 3rd, Georgie celebrated her twelfth birthday with her family. Our daughter is convinced the dog knew it was her cake even before the treats were added!

Surprise! She ate the whole thing minus the candles, unlike her eighth birthday when she chowed down on the candle too. 

In addition, we have had four weekend snowstorms in five weeks. The most recent dumped a huge amount of snow without the high winds of the previous storms. Needless to say, we are tired of winter.

Ducky

The ice is finally gone on the stream and the ducks came back right away, as if they were watching nearby when the water started flowing. There were three American Black Ducks on the stream, 

two swimming around above the bridge and another preening itself 

on ice at the edge of the stream.

The preening one gave quite a show 

as it contorted its neck while we watched.

The large duck looked quite pleased with itself as it finished 

and strutted along the ice.

Ducks are such interesting creatures and are a pleasure to watch. Two of my favourite photos from last year were of a single American Black Duck in a salt water marsh further along the boardwalk.

The bird looks so thrilled with itself and life in general.

Pretty bird! 

Favourite images of October

Some of the simplest images last month were my favourite images of fall to date. These were captured along the boardwalk in Summerside.

The oak leaves in their autumn red were noteworthy.

The unusual brown of these maple leaves caught my eye.

This American black duck was puffed up one morning and her webbed feet were visible which is quite unusual.

The remnants of the wildflowers which lined the shoreline this summer are interesting in their own right.

Some small trees are just as lovely without leaves.

The saltwater marsh looks splendid in its autumn finery.

This bench was a great place to stop for a chat with a friend.

Ravens were ready for the last day of the month.

Westmoreland River Nature Park

Our most recent visit to the Westmoreland River Nature Park in central Prince Edward Island was on a mild, calm day last week. The day before we’d had torrential rain and it may have been the reason the water was so muddy. However, though the area was settled into autumn, some of the flowers and animals, like us, were holding on to the last bit of warmth autumn has to offer.

There wasn’t much colour there until one looked more closely. A walk around the area revealed tiny splashes of colour from the hardiest of the wildflowers still blooming. Strangely enough, two lupin plants, 

which are finished blooming in June, had flowers. Clover, asters and Queen Anne’s lace

lined the path as well.

Red berries were plentiful and will provide a luscious treat for the birds in the coming days.

Goldenrod 

and bulrushes 

were gone to seed for another year and the ducks came out from among them and swam up stream. Mallards 

and American black ducks are plentiful in this area.

One of the most tranquil features is the running water. 

Its sound soothes and relaxes the spirit as we sit on the dock to watch the ducks and listen to the water.

Nearby a farmer weeds his strawberry patch after what I imagine was a productive season.

Bees, wasps, dragonflies 

and butterflies are plentiful this day, along with an occasional mosquito. It is late in the season for these insects.

We have never visited this area during the winter. Maybe this year...

Just ducky

The bridge at Grand River, Prince Edward Island, is an area where the water runs swiftly enough to prevent freezing. 

There are always birds east and west of the bridge and February was no exception. One day recently, I saw a variety of birds, especially ducks. 

They looked to be friendly with each other, some dabblers, others, divers. Below are American black ducks, male and female Common mergansers, Barrow’s goldeneye and Common goldeneye.

The black duck is stood on the ice. A male merganser has the tuft of feathers on its brown head. The females are white and black. The Barrow’s goldeneye has the white bars on its side. The Common goldeneye is in the front centre of the photo.

The next photo shows the difference in size from the large American black duck, a dabbler, to the Common goldeneye, a smal diving duck. 

In the final photo, I have all my ducks in a row, the Common goldeneyes anyway.

Refuge

Nature has a way of making us feel better by reducing stress, anger and fear. In Summerside, we have a paradise for stress reduction in the community. On a particularly stressful day recently, I discovered first hand how good a refuge from stress our boardwalk really is. 

It was a glorious winter day! The sun felt warm, the temperature, just above zero and the air was calm. The boardwalk called to us. There were many other seniors out too. People greeted each other, many were the regulars we see every time we go. Everyone spoke of the gorgeous day because there haven’t been too many such days this year. All were determined to enjoy this one.

The forest was alive with birds. My husband and I recognize their voices now. The crows, 

blue jays, chickadees, mourning doves and woodpeckers 

all spoke to each other, filling the woods with their happy voices, as they too enjoyed the respite from the bitter cold. The woods sounded and felt happy as we walked.

In the river by the bridge, three muskrats played in the water, not bothered by the admirers who stood above watching them. 

Occasionally someone threw a peanut in its shell into the water. The furry rodents grabbed them quickly and disappeared under the river bank,

to emerge later in search of more. While the river has open water, an inlet to their den or push-up is still frozen. 

The furry creatures manage well under ice as well as water.

Two American Black Ducks were in the water too. 

They dabbled for food and preened themselves in the sun. Then the two tucked their heads under their wings, as they stood in the water. They didn’t mind the people standing a few meters away, watching them, talking among themselves, several with cameras. 

The squirrels approached as people stood admiring the muskrats and the ducks. They too wanted peanuts and looked at each person, watching for food. They were brave as they observed humankind but were prepared to run at any sudden move.

The setting was perfect and though there is ice as far as the eye can see, 

the heat of the sun, the sounds of the animals and their antics take one away from the worries of the world and life. The greetings of other travellers, the shared human experience and connection in nature’s living room were a refuge from the storm of life. Such an encounter helps one face the day! Time well spent!