The Seawalk by the harbour at North Rustico is a favourite place for a stroll. The fishing community is a hub of activity in the spring and summer. It is quieter in the late autumn as the tourists are long gone and life has returned to normal for the residents.
The walk by the bay passes through some trees along the shoreline and is never more than a few meters from the sea.
The small birds along the path are missing today but the larger birds still hang out in the harbour.
Canada geese have yet to leave for warmer climes but they remind me of the old nursery rhyme, Christmas is coming, and the geese are getting fat.
These birds are ready for the long journey if their baggage is any indication.
Further along the Seawalk, a lone Black-backed gull digs through the snow into the seaweed gathered along the shore.
American black ducks look quite comfortable floating in the harbour.
In the distance, at the entrance of the harbour, the houses, wharves, and summer businesses look deserted.
However, one small boat has yet to be pulled ashore ahead of the winter freeze-up.
We crossed the road and headed to the beach, part of the national park.
On our last visit, the beach was crowded with sun bathers and swimmers. Today there is an avian crowd, Herring gulls atop the tons of seaweed accumulated along the beach over the last few months.
As we made our way back, it was noticeably darker. But that’s another story.