Blooms, birds and butterflies

It rained most of last week but we were out a few times between the raindrops. We had record rainfall, often with winds enough to deliver it horizontally. The most spectacular lightning storm accompanied the rain one night, lighting up the neighbourhood like mid-day.

Our peonies bloomed late the week before, so as usual, they didn’t do well with the wind and wet weather. Petals are beginning to cover the ground.

I did manage some photos when the weather was good, knowing what usually happens! Hope you like peonies!

We feed some neighbourhood crows late fall and winter but let them fend for themselves the remainder of the year. As a result, they haven’t been stopping by recently.

However, last week, some of the regulars dropped by with two of the young ones. These juveniles have red mouths and make unusual sounds, unlike the adults. 

We gave them some food and stayed nearby to get them accustomed to us. Two young ones have been back several days since. They wait around for a bit but we don’t feed them. It is good to see the family is healthy.

Meanwhile we continue to follow the Osprey at Blackbush on the webcam and their three young ones. The parents keep the chicks well supplied with fish and now that the little ones are more active in the nest, it looks like the adults are building up the sides of the nest with more twigs in an effort to keep them safe. Those Osprey are great parents!

Along the boardwalk one day, I stopped to photograph the blooms of a blackberry bush and out of nowhere, this Canadian Tiger Swallowtail landed and posed.

I usually chase butterflies without success so this one was a gift.

Another day, a White Admiral posed 

and this tiny Northern Crescent landed nearby at the same time.

I was doubly thrilled.

The wonders of summer from blooms, to birds and butterflies are a great diversion from the news. They kept us going this past week.

The boardwalk in late summer

It’s been a hot and humid summer, with weeks of heat advisories. My husband and I have not walked the boardwalk in Summerside, Prince Edward Island for a few months, so when the heat advisories ceased, off we went. 

Numerous Cabbage white butterflies flit around the foliage along the boardwalk. However this White admiral pauses long enough for me to take a photo.

The birds are active as usual, especially the blue jays. There are dozens of them in this area and their calls fill the air. On a day when there is no wind, the calls of the jays drown out the crows and ravens.

Chipmunks are back again. I didn’t see them this past spring. They are more timid than the squirrels which approach people. Chipmunks are more shy and less trusting of people. 

Squirrels take every morsel offered by passersby. Every generation of the furry creatures learns quickly to approach all who happen by. They are rewarded often enough to keep them interested.

The Common grackles take interest in the bird seed left by people. They watch stealthily as they approach the seeds, like bandits!

Song sparrows attract attention as they sing and hop among the branches. Rarely do they land on the walkway. 

Their friends the Mourning doves mosey along the boardwalk, oblivious to the walkers.

In the water, American black ducks periodically hide among the grasses at the edge of the stream.

A muskrat takes time to check for peanuts. The younger ones are trained by their parents in what to watch for and when to hide.

Greater yellow legs find their way to the stream every year. This year, one is commonly around on her own with occasional yellow leg visitors.

A Great blue heron loves this marsh area as well. Often found wading in the water, on this day she is stood guard in a spruce tree. This is the first time we’v seen a heron in a tree. 

I also caught her flying past on her way elsewhere.

Osprey nests looks abandoned. Their property needs a ‘Vacancy’ sign.

As a tribute to all the people who bring peanuts and seeds to feed the animals, a single sunflower seed, carried by the wind, water or dropped by a bird, took root along the water’s edge. She shines for all to see as people and animals go about their business. It will be interesting to see if birds eat at the seeds when they mature.