The sky was low, gray and heavy, the kind of day when it feels like the ceiling is just above your head. It was -1C with a breeze making it colder as we parked the car and walked the old dirt road to MacCallum's Point. The area is in Lower Bedeque, across the harbour from Summerside, Prince Edward Island. It was quiet except for the sound of snow under our boots and the clicks of our cameras as we walked along.
At road level, we couldn't feel the wind, thanks to the protection of the trees.
I have come to appreciate the wonder of deciduous trees in the winter. The bare branches reach to the sky
and all the branchlets, covered with leaves in the summer, are visible this time of year in all their intricate glory.
Overhead, a hawk circles and floats on the breeze. Further on, an owl crosses the road numerous times in pursuit of food. The birds are busy hunting.
The snow shows rabbit activity, with footprints in and out of the trees on either side of the road. No wonder the birds are so busy.
However, raccoons are busy in this area as well. Fox tracks are common too. Predators like this area.
MacCallum's Point opens before us, red cliffs of sandstone on the edge of the ice-covered shoreline.
Here, the full force of the wind hits us as we leave the shelter of the trees.
Bedeque Bay and Northumberland Strait beyond have open water in spite of the bitter cold.
As we take pictures our hands become numb! Our visit is a short one.
On the way back, the shelter of the woods is welcome as mitts warm frozen fingers. Looking off into the woods, Robert Frost comes to mind,
"The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,"
after a cup of hot chocolate.