Encounter

The first week of March provided the usual conditions for this time of year. It felt like spring for a few days, then winter returned. Wind kept us home one day and I didn’t take my camera for two days due to falling snow, using my cell phone for photos instead.

The stream through the salt marsh was flowing again at the beginning of last week. Then the weather turned cold, the stream iced over and the flock of ducks disappeared again. The blue colour of the stream was remarkable that day.

A day later, it was mild again and the ducks were back. Fog in the bay added another element to the usual scene from the bridge.

Ducks were busy the rest of the week, flying around the marsh or chasing others in the stream. The male and female Mallards put on a show as we watched another day.

Along the walkway, I always stop in this area which has a lot of animal activity if it isn’t particularly windy. 

A favourite of the Red Squirrels 

and Bluejays, 

the feeder is filled regularly by walkers to the area.

A favourite photo of the week was a chance photo of a Downy Woodpecker diving from one tree to another in that area.

Meanwhile, on a calm day, the resident Mourning Doves gathered in a tree overlooking the bridge.

Another day, it looked like an American Crow in the foreground and a Common Raven beside it on the bridge railing eating seed. More expert birders can correct me if I’m wrong.

Sometimes the best stories are of the non-photo events. Yesterday, it was snowing again and I left my camera home, relying on my cell phone for photos instead. As I stood in the area near the feeder for my usual few minutes there, I was buzzed by Black-capped Chickadees. The tiny birds expect food from walkers who stop. I didn’t have food with me but they didn’t give up. I could hear their wings all around my head. 

As I held up the cell phone to take a photo, one of the birds landed on the top of my phone at eye level. No photos of course. Such an incredible experience looking into the face of that tiny creature about 30 centimetres away. 

The little bird stayed for mere seconds but I was happy not to have reacted negatively and scared it off. 

It was a memorable encounter and one I will talk about for some time.

Bear with me

It has been an extremely cold winter and the high winds haven’t helped. This coming week, temperatures will be near normal or above which will be a great respite from the bitter cold of the last few months. Despite the cold however, we are drawn to the stark beauty of the boardwalk.

There is an area along the boardwalk which the birds and squirrels love. They forage for seeds there, under the trees alongside the walkway. On days when the wind is calmer the place comes alive with the animals. The last day we were there, three squirrels chased each other around as numerous Bluejays made their presence known. 

One had mastered the chattering sound of a squirrel which it repeated as it flew among the trees.

Sparrows are common there too. Tree Sparrows hop around 

and Song Sparrows, which fill the boardwalk with song in the spring and summer, are quiet this time of year. 

If you stop along the bridge, you can expect Black-capped Chickadees to come around. They have flown around me as I’ve attempted to photograph them. My husband likens them to mosquitos. 

On our recent visit to Cape Egmont, 

we passed an old house with something in an upper window on the side facing the road. I didn’t know what was in that window since we drove by so quickly but we decided to go back that way to see it.

The front of the house doesn’t give any indication of the resident visible on the side. 

Someone added a bear to one of the upstairs window. 

Despite the condition of the house, we smiled when we saw the bear and wondered about the old house. The old place has a new life.

The last few days of February are upon us. Spring is on its way.

Have a great week!

About last week

At some point this month I had to do some Christmas shopping so I started this past week, though reluctantly. Time is running out however. I don’t enjoy shopping. My husband and I find it difficult to shop for the grandchildren these days as their taste and preferences are evolving as they grow. Our daughter accompanied me one day which was a huge help. It was nice to have that time with her too. Her father joined us for lunch which was lovely.

We didn’t get to the boardwalk as often this week as a result but the scene there certainly changed in that time. Early last week, a seaweed dam at the mouth of the salt marsh had resulted in flooding of the marsh which had then frozen.

On Sunday last week, as we walked away from the parking lot, ducks were flying overhead to the north. With no open water in the salt marsh, the ducks had headed out to look for some.

That day, I captured a photo of a Dark-Eyed Junco which was feeding along the boardwalk.

The Bluejays are always entertaining of course. A flock of the pretty avians will appear quickly along the bridge if one offers peanuts, one of their favourite snacks. 

The Chickadees require the shells removed from the nuts and wait patiently for them.

The vessel, Federal Ohio, came into port when Blacky left the previous week. 

From the photo of what looked like a Coast Guard boat further in the bay, you can see how much ice was in the harbour.

Gulls were a highlight another day. 

They played in the bay opposite the stream. 

We heard honking overhead and I found the Canada Geese quickly enough to take a photo.

The mild temperatures later in the week melted much of the snow and ice in the area. The dam of seaweed at the mouth of the marsh gave way and the ducks returned. 

When it turned cold again, they ice skated in the marsh to get to areas where the water was still flowing.

A Downy Woodpecker drilled into trees near the marsh 

and a Mourning Dove perched high above the scene watched everything with interest.

On a more serious note:

In conclusion this week, I have news of a scam which targeted seniors on Prince Edward Island. Two people visiting the island phoned various islanders, addressing those who answered the phone with “Hey, grandma,” or “Hey, grandpa.”

I answered the phone one day. It looked like a local number so I said, “Hello.” When a male voice said, “Hey, Grandma,” I hung up without saying anything further.

Apparently the caller scammed several islanders out of money, saying he was the person’s grandson and needed money for bail. One senior however, arranged a meeting to pass over money, called the police and the scammer was arrested at the appointed place.

There are so many similar and worse scams going on these days that one has to be alert and suspicious of everything, especially unsolicited phone calls, emails and the rest. 

Nature is an important reprieve from the worries of the world.

I wish you a scam-free week.

The return

We had over two weeks of rain before the sun broke through. My husband and I kept going to the boardwalk as often as weather would allow and we used the walking track at Credit Union Place in between. We were thrilled to see the sun again and every scene which featured light was special.

One of my favourite captures was of this Bluejay, in a spotlight, picking up seeds just off the boardwalk. 

We noticed the birds over several days eating seeds in that area. 

It is noticeable how, after weeks without bright light, the slightest sliver of sunlight through the trees stands out on this squirrel.

Long shadows cast by the angle of the sun this time of year are welcome as well. We’ve missed shadows too.

One day, off in the distance, the top of a cargo vessel was visible in the Northumberland Strait just above the horizon. It looked like a mirage. 

Then two days later, what we believe to be the same vessel, came into Bedeque Bay to dock in Summerside.

The Blacky passed the Indian Head Lighthouse to dock further in the bay. Some gulls were eager to greet her.

The lifeboat on the vessel, positioned as it is at the stern, ready to be dropped in an emergency, gives me pause for thought as I watch the vessel pass. I hope it never has to be deployed for an emergency.

Later from the head of the bay, we watched with the geese as the Blacky docked, preparing to unload the usual winter cargo for these parts, road salt, which is being used already this year.

And sure enough, the temperatures have dropped. Snow is common now, as fresh snow falls most days and is lingering. 

Bedeque Bay is on the verge of freezing, with temperatures day and night below zero. Early last week, there was slush in the water of one area along the boardwalk.

By the end of last week, slush and ice covered all but the deepest part of the bay.

Dark-eyed Juncos have been feeding along the boardwalk though I have yet to take a good photo of one. White-throated Sparrows are around too. They are not quite as shy as the Juncos.

The Mourning Doves congregate in groups in the trees when they aren’t feeding. They puff up their feathers against the cold and look at least twice their usual size.

Both Bluejays and Chickadees will feed out of hand or from a toque as happened here with my husband.

Finally, you never know what you’ll see along the boardwalk. Santa’s helpers ran or walked a 5k race to raise money for Make A Wish Foundation. The group fulfills wishes for children with critical illnesses. Despite the wind and cold, each helper looked to be enjoying the event. They were an unusual sight!