Just beachy

One of our last picnic outings for this fall was to the beach at Brander’s Pond on the central north shore of Prince Edward Island. It was a rare day, not a breeze in the autumn air though the sky was overcast. The area is home to cottages which are mostly empty this time of year, closed after more than two seasons of beach living for those lucky enough to have a cottage there.

Brander’s Pond flows into the Gulf of St Lawrence 

but part of its attraction for me is the sea stack on the eastern side of the beach. 

This beach, maintained by the cottagers, is pristine. As usual, various species of gulls hang out at the mouth of the stream. As my husband and I approached the stream, the gulls took flight briefly and moved farther away,

though not without expressing their displeasure.

We walked the beach slowly, taking in as much of the day and the setting as possible. The rhythm of the sea is comforting and as I walked I wondered how many other such days were left this season. However, those thoughts soon disappeared to the joy of this present.

In the water, Red-throated Loons enjoyed a day on the water.

Nearby, a flock of Red-breasted Mergansers dived for brunch. 

 By the turn-around, I watched a young Herring Gull catch and slowly eat a crab.

At this point, the sun broke through after previous attempts had failed.

On the way back, I watched a small flock on Sanderlings which are among the last shorebirds to stop by the island on their migration south. The little birds fed along the shoreline and stopped to stand on one leg periodically. 

By the time we were back down the beach, the moody sky was replaced by blue and the late October sun provided some warmth. It was a perfect beach day!

The beach at Brander’s Pond

The beach at Brander’s Pond is one of our favourites and every year we visit at least once. This year few of the cottagers have returned to the area and we were the only people on the beach. Non resident cottagers haven’t been granted entry to the island yet due to the Corona virus.

The pond empties into the Gulf of St Lawrence and the water is crystal clear. 

Nearby ducks played in the pond though I couldn’t get a good photo.

The sea stack along the shoreline is one of the attractions of this area.

Our visit in August of last year resulted in one of my favourite photos of the year. 

The white atop the sea stack is guano of the Double-crested Cormorants who enjoy sunning themselves there. They haven’t returned to the stack yet this year though there were plenty flying along the coastline while we had lunch and watched the fishing boats.

                                                                                2020

The sea stack has eroded over the last three years though not as much as I expected. The shoreline has taken a bigger hit you can see.

                                                                             2017

The beach is pristine, with the exception of some fishing gear which washes ashore every year. The red sand and sandstone cliffs are in sharp contrast to the sea. Looking closely at the cliffs, 

one can see the layers of sand deposited and hardened over time which are easily eroded.

The view up the beach draws us onward.

The reality of the pandemic is light years away for a few hours.

Setting day

Friday past was Setting Day on Prince Edward Island, the day when the lobster traps are set for the first part of the lobster season. In the island tradition, family and friends gather at day break around the wharf and along the shoreline to see the fishers off this first day. This year was different. People were encouraged to stay home because of Covid precautions.

The last several years, my husband and I have gone to the shoreline early in the morning at Cabot Beach and watched as the boats left Malpeque Harbour. 

                                                                  Setting Day 2019

The boats were low in the water, filled with as many traps as they could carry while families waved them on.

                                        Boats loaded with lobster traps, Setting Day 2019

Boats returned to port to load up again to finish the job.

Setting Day this year was a beautiful sunny day with a slight breeze so my husband and I, mid morning instead of day break, went to the beach on the north shore near Brander’s Pond. A walk on the beach was in order.

Fortunately, fishers in one fishing boat were busy setting their traps just off shore and we watched other boats in the distance. 

We walked, had a leisurely picnic and watched the fishers hard at work.

Later, we visited New London and watched the boats move up the channel back to port. 

We saw one headed out again with the last of its traps. 

While we didn’t see the loaded boats leaving port encouraged by the crowd, we did enjoy Setting Day nonetheless. Lobster will be on the menu this week for sure.

A natural pleasure

This time of year my husband and I love to walk the beaches of Prince Edward Island. We visit all of our old favourites, like the beach at Brander’s Pond where a stream flows from the pond into the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

The pond meanders its way across the beach making it an area where young children love to play. The beach is pristine, bordered by sandstone cliffs except in the area of the stream. Cottages are visible from the beach though a few are not typical.

It’s too bad this one is so small.

A sea stack on the eastern side of the beach shows evidence of its cormorant residents. They are gone fishing this morning.

The sandstone cliffs show the erosion at sea level, undermining the overhanging cliff side. One can see how the sandstone from above has collapsed to the beach. I would not be brave enough to place a shade tent under that cliff.

The sea stack is a highlight of this beach. From near or far, the stack highlights the shoreline of the province. Up close, 

or seen by the adjacent coastline, it stands out. However, my favourite photos show the fields in the background 

or the headland in the distance.

Semipalmated plovers dart around the waves which lap the shore. An unusual sight is the chickadee-sized Least sandpiper which walks along the stream as we leave the beach.

Summer at the beach at Brander’s Pond is a natural pleasure.

Question and answer:

Linda at https://abovetheclouds619.blogspot.com/ asked,”Have you and your man always been into nature or is this something you picked up after retirement?”

My husband and I were walkers before we retired. After retirement, before we moved to Prince Edward Island, we often went on hikes in various parts of central Newfoundland where we lived. During one of our most memorable hikes, we had a picnic as the snow fell gently around us.

After we moved to PEI, we continued in that tradition and have come to consider the outings an important part of our lives. 

The beach at Brander’s Pond

In the summer, the pond is hidden behind summer’s flourish.

A stream flows from the pond into the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The gurgling, soothing,

trickling sounds of the gentle flow can be heard over the surf ahead.

My husband and I are compelled to stop, look and listen.

Cottages along the shoreline mean a few people are on the beach but it’s far from crowded. Young families play in the sand, the stream or the sea.

A chair nearby looks comfortable.

Imagine a chat with friends around a fire there.

Don’t look down though.

The red cliffs and sea stack are a sharp contrast to the sea and sky.

Cormorants usually sunning themselves on the sea stack are gone fishing.

As we walk down the beach,

a glance back reminds us why we love this place.