The joy of summer

Prince Edward Island is a windy place though in the heat and humidity of summer, the island breeze makes it bearable. Two days this past week however, we had winds approaching 70 kilometres an hour. It was hard to keep a hat on unless it was tied down. We walked early those days, as usual, glad for the breeze in spite of its velocity.

It was interesting to watch the birds on such days. On the way to the boardwalk, one would know from the flock of landed gulls that the wind was high. They stand into the wind as did the two Black Ducks 

and two Yellowlegs in the salt marsh that day. One female Green-winged Teal was too hungry to care about the wind.

On a calmer day, a Great Blue Heron was feeding just outside the marsh in the bay, in the same area as in the first photo. 

Quite a difference in conditions those two days!

Later that same morning I saw five other Herons along the north shore of Bedeque Bay. One was particularly beautiful, 

standing on its own, watching for its breakfast to swim past. Two others were preening as a gull flew over.

While the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker chicks appear to have fledged this past week, squirrels have been entertaining us. I have watched them among the trees in the same area 

and have seen them carrying peanuts away from the nearby bridge where walkers leave them. One squirrel was barely visible along the forest floor, carrying a nutty treasure.

By the time I arrived at the bridge myself, a man was passing out peanuts to the Blue Jays and other birds in the area. I watched as a squirrel came along to take a peanut and head back to the same area I had come from. 

Our golden grand-dog has spent an extra long weekend with us this past week and will be leaving for home later today. We will miss her.

If a senior wants to stay active, a dog is one way to do it. Some days we did two walks, trying to use up some of that young dog energy. As I’ve written before, Daisy will keep retrieving a thrown ball, stick, or frisbee until your arm drops off. 

We always walk the Confederation Trail with Daisy, letting her off lead when we can.

The section of trail we frequent doesn’t have as many apple trees as other parts of the trail. However, this crabapple tree is loaded with apples already though we haven’t tried them.

The wildflowers along the trail always catch my eye.

Also, the buckwheat growing in several fields along the route is in full bloom 

and looks so beautiful through a hedge of wildflowers. 

The wheat, rich in colour now is easily recognizable from the trail.

Finally this week, after spending so much time with Daisy, I realize how much joy she finds in the simple things. 

I wish you such joy!

A week by Bedeque Bay

We walked in the rain this past weekend, such a lovely change after a week of blistering heat. Everything needed rain, including us. It cooled off yesterday and was much more comfortable.

The heat keeps my husband and me close to home but the boardwalk has been our refuge in the cooler early mornings. Sometimes the salt marsh looks deserted when we arrive at the gazebo but if you watch quietly, the marsh comes to life. 

One morning a few Black Ducks were feeding in the marsh but nothing else was obvious. 

Camera ready, I watched as a Great Blue Heron came out of the bulrushes 

and proceeded to fish in the marsh. I always enjoy those birds.

Nearby, a Yellowlegs had dropped by on its way south and bobbed around the marsh, feeding occasionally. 

A juvenile Robin fed in the sand along the perimeter of the marsh. 

A juvenile Starling did the same.

A Mourning Dove, calling from nearby was easy to spot. 

Not so the Sparrow because of its tiny size and colouring.

A Crow waded in the stream looking for morsels

while along the shoreline a young Herring Gull look pleased with itself for the discovery of the shell. 

I watched as the bird took flight and high above the beach, dropped the shell, breaking it.

The plants along the boardwalk are growing well and many are overhead, like this Queen Anne’s Lace which is about three metres high.

In another area of the boardwalk, the city installed three hammocks. 

These swingers are popular with residents and tourists alike, many stopping to relax and catch the view. The same area is a great place to meet friends for a chat too.

While we were there, one of the resident Great Blue Herons took flight from its fishing spot in Bedeque Bay. 

Another day, a Heron entertained some Gulls on a nearby sandbar.

I couldn’t check on the Sapsuckers this past week until Saturday. A day care program was using the area where the nest was located. By Saturday, when I could check, a young bird was calling and looking out of the nest. 

Finally this week, my husband and I have been free cycling some items through a local Facebook page. Canning jars, a bread-maker, a coffee pot and pods and a new cannister set all found new homes. They were picked up within minutes of posting about them. The gardening corner of the garage is next.

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.

Great weather for ducks

This photo was taken on the brightest day we’ve had in two weeks. 

While the sun didn’t break through that day, the sky brightened compared to how it looks in fog, wind and rain.

The salt marsh has changed dramatically. The high winds and sea washed away the seaweed dam at the mouth of the stream and the marsh is draining again. 

Seaweed covers the area now but the ducks continue to enjoy the area though some have moved up stream.

The amount of seaweed was enough for a gull to drop by the marsh. It is the first time we have seen them land there.

On a day without strong wind, though it was wet, the animals were out and about. A Hairy Woodpecker was busy, willing to steal peanuts left among the trees by a squirrel who was glad to take some from us.

A unusual sight was a Red Squirrel without a tail. It gathered peanuts left on the boardwalk and took them away for winter storage. 

This is the first squirrel without a tail we’ve seen but it is quite common. Its name is Bobbie.

Meanwhile, around town a Cybertruck is causing a stir. One day, the vehicle was parked at the hospital and our daughter took our grandson to see it. Of course she took photos. Two days later, as we parked by Credit Union Place, CUP, for a walk on the track, we spotted the vehicle nearby. A photo was necessary then too. I guess when you own a Cybertruck you expect to attract attention.

We walked at CUP this past weekend too and the place was busy. The facility has two ice surfaces, a pool, gym, convention center and meeting rooms. On the weekend, girls’ hockey teams were playing games on the main ice surface both mornings. 

On the second surface, Saturday, figure skating lessons were on-going while Sunday, young boys hockey teams played there. 

Dozens of parents quietly watched the pool from a viewing area as their kids took lessons. However, never underestimate how loud parents can be when cheering for their kids at a hockey game. 

Meanwhile, we have the grandkids next weekend and have plans to do some Christmas baking and crafts with them. We had some items to buy in preparation and did the shopping two mornings last week. The stores were busy and I experienced several typical Canadian moments.

Canadians say, “Sorry,” for everything. As I came up one aisle and turned into another, another shopper coming down stopped so as to avoid a collision. Of course she said, “Sorry,” as did I. I noticed the word four other times those days. 

We almost need a sorry about this weather, though sorry isn’t enough. Sunlight is past due though not in the forecast for the third week.

Sorry.

Hope the weather is better where you are.