Spring beauty

The boardwalk is looking particularly pretty these days, decked out in its spring best. The trees lining the walkway, dressed in their green finery, rustle in the breeze to the backbeat of nature. The birds add a familiar chorus, all the usual ones which frequent the area, the blackbirds, jays and sparrows are joined by Yellow Warblers which are less frequent visitors. They add a flash of sunlight as they flit among the leaves.

Lining the boardwalk now, the first wildflowers in are in bud and blooming. Dame’s Rocket is so pretty among the trees, growing up to waist height. 

Yellow Salsify is closer to the earth, giving first impressions of dandelion blooms until you look closer. 

Buttercups are more earthy and fill in the background.

The male Red-winged Blackbirds are plentiful and chatter in their familiar way. They flit among the trees, their epaulets adding a flash of colour. 

The females are about now too, probably busy feeding young. 

The sentinels of the boardwalk, the Song Sparrows, are always present. They sing their hearts out, as if nature depended on them for its continuity.

The Choke Cherry trees are dripping with clusters of blooms, made of tiny individual flowers. 

They will provide food for the birds later this year.

The coming months of warm weather are a delight along the boardwalk.

Wetland

Recently, as we cycled a section of the Confederation Trail in eastern Prince Edward Island, 

we learned from a friendly trail worker about a Ducks Unlimited protected area near Morell, where we were headed. The wetland had an Osprey nest which we were glad to hear about.

Sure enough, we found the area mentioned and the nest was obvious at the back of the pond.

We didn’t see any Osprey however. It is interesting, though sad, to see how the birds recycle plastic when building their nests.

Also in the pond were several male Wood Ducks.

I was thrilled to see them though they tested the limits of my camera. I had only ever seen one such duck previously but had not been able to photograph it.

In addition, a pair of Canada Geese with five goslings nested on an island in the pond. The goslings were the biggest I had ever seen. The gaggle was initially in the water, 

then moved to the island where the adults gave a display of wing spread. Three of the goslings watched intently.

Meanwhile, three Tree Swallows where flitting above the water, moving too swiftly to be photographed. Among the bulrushes, Red-Winged Blackbirds chattered loudly. 

Before we left, two crows appeared to be bothering ducks at the back of the pond. There was a lot of quacking and the two crows looked like they were attacking something in the grasses. Crows can stir things up when they get started.

A few words from a friendly person can make an already great day even better.

Here fishy fishy

Like her paternal grandfather before her, our daughter enjoys recreational fishing. Every year she takes the kids fishing and my husband and I tag along at least once, though we are not fishers. The kids look forward to the adventure and the three year old had received a new fishing rod for his birthday. It was their first trip for the year.

The older two, girls nine and seven, have caught fish before so the anticipation of the capture this year was foremost in their minds. The three year old wasn’t sure what to except since he couldn’t remember anything from last year when he’d just turned two. However he was caught up in the excitement like his sisters.

The path to the area was lined with dandelion which the girls noticed because of the bees they attracted. There are lots of bees around early this year.

We arrived before noon and the kids, readied by their mother and maintained by the three adults, fished for an hour before they wanted lunch. 

We’d brought a picnic of course and the sunny day was perfect for a blanket on the grass while the seniors sat in their camp chairs.

The area is a Red-winged Blackbird paradise and we saw more males than females. This one is showing off his coloured epaulet. 

Song Sparrows also love the area and they, with the blackbirds and grackles, kept us entertained as we ate. This sparrow looks like it needs a feather trim like many of us need haircuts these days. 

I also spotted this Yellow Warbler, a first for me, 

flitting amongst the trees.

On our way back to the vehicle, one area of the pond was extremely noisy. We stopped and listened to what we believe are American Toads singing their courtship song. You can hear birds as well. The video is 30 seconds.

Small creatures can leave a big impression!

The kids didn’t catch any trout but the time by the pond was fun for everyone. There’s always next time!

P.S.

During the next fishing trip, each of the kids caught a fish. They declared the day the best ever!

A perfect lunch spot

We went to see the geese family again but the birds weren’t in the basin where they had been the previous week. Both my husband and I had sore muscles so we decided not to walk that day. Instead, we enjoyed the location and had a picnic.

As we ate lunch on the bench, a pair of Mallards swam in the pond. We watched as they dabbled their way around, unconcerned by the spectators on the bench nearby.

In front of us, a Yellow warbler landed on some floating straw, appearing to rest before it went on its way.

On the islands in the basin, the leafless trees made it easy to see the tiny Yellow-rumped warblers which landed among the branches.

A larger bird, a male Bobolink, entertained us with its song for the longest time. 

These birds nest in hay fields but cultivation practices and pesticide use has affected the population making it a threatened species. I hope this male found a mate and a safe place to nest.

The noisy male Red-winged blackbirds were everywhere but we don’t often see the females. However, a female stayed on the bulrushes long enough for some photos. She has a touch of colour around her beak.

In the trees behind us, a Northern parula sat and entertained us with his trilling song. It is the first time we’ve seen this bird which looks almost grumpy.

A male Gadwall flew into the basin and spent his time among the bulrushes.

It was a great lunch spot,

the ambiance was perfect and the food was just the way we like it. And the entertainment was world class.