Early July on PEI

We had a quiet week, confining our activity to home and the boardwalk. It was hot and humid enough to keep us home one day. Several other days, we walked in the wind and rain. On those days, the camera was absent. However the area of the boardwalk always provides photo opportunities even if one gets there but one day a week.

Near the gazebo one day, multiple birdhouses decorated a tree. One can imagine children enjoyed this project and their efforts make the area a place of interest as people walk along.

One day, my husband and I watched as a Great Blue Heron came in for a landing near the salt marsh. 

We observed four Herons in that area as we walked the boardwalk later.

Meanwhile, the rodents are not to be outdone. Chipmunks are busy these days and a new generation is out and about, approaching walkers cautiously.

Red Squirrels are present year round. This one let me know it wasn’t pleased I didn’t provide any peanuts. 

When it turned sideways, I noticed its ear was malformed, the first time we had seen such a defect. The feisty little creature appears to be doing well.

On Saturday past, we saw a Snowshoe Hare again in the area we had seen several this past spring. 

With the number of Bald Eagles which have been in the area recently, we suspected the hares hadn’t survived. At least one did and it’s a beauty.

I suspected the Yellow Bellied Sapsuckers were finished with the nest. 

However, we walked earlier in the morning this past week and I discovered the nest is still busy with the birds, 

back and forth with food for chicks.

One day, a Starling waited around, 

watching the proceedings as adults occasionally poked their heads out but stayed in place at the sight of the other bird.

This Yellow Warbler added its song to that of the Song Sparrows another day. The Warblers are beautiful against the clear sky.

I couldn’t finish the week without sharing a photo of the Black Ducks, the reliables of the salt marsh. I hope everyone has their ducks in a row this coming week. 

We do…ahh…did.

A week around here

Family commitments kept us close to home this past week, so we kept our walking to the boardwalk. I finally finished spring cleaning and we bought the mulch we needed for the garden. My husband and I hope to get the work done outside this week. In between, there may be a picnic or two.

One day, the sun poked through the clouds to illuminate the far side of the lighthouse in Bedeque Bay. Cormorants were visible along the rocks and platform there.

The warblers have returned to Prince Edward Island and we saw a few this past week. Yellow Warblers serenaded walkers 

while this Yellow-rumped Warbler collected material for its nest.

The Black Duck grabbed our attention as it noisily made its way to the salt marsh. The other soon followed.

Great Blue Herons frequent the salt marsh. It looks like they can twist their long necks in a knot.

This male Mallard is without his mate now. She is probably on a nest these days while mister argues with the Black Ducks in the salt marsh. The fine pattern on the white feathers and the fluorescent colours on his head are evidence of nature’s artistry.

Muskrats, which were absent from the marsh last summer, have returned this spring. They are welcome additions!

In the woodland along the trail, Blue Jays find peanuts left by walkers 

before the chipmunks can get to the nutty treasures. 

In the field by the trail, this American Robin draws our attention due to the feathers on the front of its upper breast. 

Could this be the start of molting?

This Red Fox, photographed from a distance, proved it has beautiful teeth.

Finally, closer to home, these two male Northern Flickers landed on a backyard fence. 

The bird on the right mimicked the movement of the bird on the left. They stayed in the area for several minutes bobbing their heads and other movements, initiated by one and repeated by the other. 

The animals make any day more interesting.

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.