Visitors

We anticipate our first hike and picnic for this year but the wait continues. While it doesn’t have to be warm, the wind has been the ever present deterrent in the last few weeks. On our only pleasant day in recent weeks we had appointments. Meanwhile, Georgie, the golden grand-dog is visiting while her family is out of town. 

We enjoy taking Georgie to the boardwalk, a place she loves and where we see some visitors to the island.

The arrival of our warm weather feathered friends has begun. The Red-winged Blackbirds came back this past week and announced their arrival with their calls from the trees overlooking the stream. 

We suspect the males are calling their lady friends.

Along the water’s edge at the mouth of the stream, another visitor, a lone Kildeer fed along the icy shoreline. 

It was puffed up against the cold. Its arrival is a bit premature according to conditions along the shoreline.

While the squirrels have been out and about all winter, now the chipmunks are emerging from their nests and burrows having weathered another winter. This one is enjoying the spotlight.

Georgie enjoys the area immensely. There is never a shortage of other dogs walking with their owners and she sniffs every one and the scent along the trail of those who have gone before. Georgie watches over my husband and I as we walk. She doesn’t want to be out of sight of either of us. Usually he is in the lead with her, while I lag behind taking photos. Georgie stops every so often to see where I am. If I am what she judges to be too far behind, she plants her feet and refuses to move until I catch up. She does the same if my husband is the one following. 

We seniors stick together as we enjoy what nature has to offer.

Feathered friends

The salt marsh which is sometimes a pond along the boardwalk is changed again. A recent storm removed the seaweed and sand which provided a dam at the mouth of the pond. Now the pond is gone and a stream is back in its place. You can see the opening to the harbour in the photo.

The poor American Black Ducks which call the area home don’t have enough depth to swim in places. Now we see them on the beach most days. Another storm is required to wash seaweed and sand back into the opening in the natural dam. I hope the ducks get their home back in their favourite condition soon.

Late in March, a pair of Kildeer were back in the marsh area. A pair hung out there last summer. Could they be the same birds? 

One day recently, this Hairy Woodpecker was interested in the senior taking her photo. 

The American Robins were back on the island during the last few days of March.

A Black-capped Chickadee landed on the bridge while I was there. I placed my hand in my pocket and the little bird flew around my head. I imagine it expected some food.

Mourning Doves like to pick seeds off the bridge when there aren’t any walkers around.

Dozens of Song Sparrows sing their greetings all along the boardwalk. Several were busy on the bridge collecting seeds one day. These tiny birds have powerful voices and their songs fill the air.

Tree Sparrows continue to visit the bridge as well.

A Red-winged Blackbird  finally stood still long enough for me to photograph him. We have heard their chatter for a few weeks.

The Blue Jays along the boardwalk are always talkative. Their voices dominate any choir.

A Herring Gull 

and a Ring-billed Gull 

are from a flock of various gull species enjoying the harbour these days.

The harbour/boardwalk area is an avian paradise despite the cold so far this spring.