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Showing posts with label Black-bellied Plover. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Black-bellied Plover. Show all posts

Saturday, 31 August 2024

The look of late summer

It was cooler this past week, without much humidity and its layer of discomfort. We have walked the boardwalk, picked berries and been with the kids on several adventures we always do before school starts every year.


There have been a few windy days, wind enough to turn Bedeque Bay into what resembles chocolate milk. The rough seas from high wind stir up the red sand in the bay and voila, chocolate milk!





On a calm day, we spotted a Great Blue Heron among the bulrushes in the salt marsh. I am fascinated by these birds and I suspect it is the same one which frequents this area as it often visits the same spot.





The bird was far enough away for it to feel safe. At one point it looked to be trying to mimic the bulrushes. 





Then it looked my way.





It stretched its neck as if to get a better look. 





I smile every time I see these last two photos.


We also saw some of the migrant birds last week including, a Black-bellied Plover, 





Semipalmated Plovers 





and a Solitary Sandpiper.





My husband and I always enjoy berry picking, a common activity of childhood in Newfoundland. This past week, we made several attempts to pick high bush blueberries with our daughter and the three children. Finally, after a few days of rain cancellations and ripening delays, we headed out. 





The last of the berries were available and I enjoyed the time with the other four, one of whom, ate more than she added to the containers. My husband entertained the golden grand-dog, Daisy, while we picked.


Time at Cavendish Grove this time of year involves a picnic and squishing apples which are past eating. 





Then we played fetch with Daisy until we were spent though she still was eager to fetch.





Also every year, the grandchildren have their photos taken hanging from a specific tree branch in the grove. With the traditional activities checked for this year, they are ready for school.


While summer has been lovely, we look forward to this month which heralds autumn and all its beauty. 


Sunday, 5 September 2021

Along the shoreline

The boardwalk at Summerside is undergoing repair work and the popular section of the trail where many of the birds, squirrels and chipmunks hang out has been closed to walkers. 





With replacement of the bridge over the stream, workers have drained the area to facilitate construction and the setting has changed a great deal. 





Ducks who frequented the salt marsh have moved on but the usual late summer shorebirds still frequent the shoreline. We walk near the section under construction and enjoy the gazebo and shoreline. We have seen a few birds new to the area this month and enjoy our time observing them.


Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs are walking and feeding along the shoreline these days. The two species are so similar but beak size is a distinguishing feature. They appear to live in harmony together.





One day, watching from the gazebo, I noticed what looked like a small flock of sparrows land on the beach which would be an unusual sight. I watched the birds, obviously not sparrows but Least Sandpipers, the smallest of the sandpipers. They stayed long enough for me to take a photo.





Another day, Black-bellied Plovers stopped for a visit. Eventually I managed a good photo.





One of my favourite days brought the Double-crested Cormorants from the breakwater




to a sandbar near the old Rifle Range. A few Great Black-backed Gulls sat among them. One could imagine the birds chatting, moving around to speak to friends they spot nearby, waiting for fish to enter the channel. Poor fish, though I would have liked to see that fishery.




                                                                           The Stand


Great Blue Herons were vigilant nearby as well, watching everything with those eagle…rather, heron eyes.





The next day, the cormorants were back at The Stand again, this time, a flock of Bonaparte’s Gulls rested on a sand bar in front of them. There is quite a contrast in size between the cormorants and these tiny gulls.





As often as I can, I sit for a time on a rock or a bench, enjoying the breeze with the sun shining and the wonder of birds spread before me. It is a time when the troubles of the world disappear and all is well for a few precious minutes. Perfect!