Gulls at play

During a recent walk on the boardwalk, the wind increased in speed as the sky cleared from the south.  As my husband and I proceeded, holding on to our hats, we noticed seagulls along the shoreline, riding the wind.

They stayed close to the shoreline, just above the beach area at low tide. It was fascinating to watch them. 

Better birders than I could identify the gulls playing there. They cavorted for the hour we were there, moving slightly along the coastline if a particularly strong gust of wind ushered them along. They revelled in the high winds while mere mortals struggled to stay upright and keep their cameras steady.

The birds weren’t making any sounds that we could hear in those high winds. Neither were they feeding. Occasionally one landed on the water but didn’t stay for long or take anything from the water. They resembled a bunch of kids enjoying the outdoors on an exceptional weather day.

The enjoyment those feathered creatures took in the high winds was a wonder of nature.

Tropical depression

It was sunny yesterday morning with the promise of rain and wind from a tropical depression by 2 p.m. My husband and I headed out early for our usual walk along the boardwalk in Summerside. In the southern sky, the cloud was beginning to move in. 

Over the hour we were there,

the clouds grew darker and the wind came up. The birds and squirrels were frantic in their activity. 

The most dramatic sight was the sky. 

It had as much character 

as the many seniors who were walking ahead of the storm.

We had high winds and torrential rain which appear to have stopped this morning though the sky is dark. We will watch the weather and head out to the boardwalk again to see our old friends, human and animal.

Out of the fog

The weather has been miserable for days with wind and rain and the promise of much more to come. However, compared to other parts of Canada, we don’t have any flooding. Early Sunday morning it wasn’t raining so I decided to go for a quick walk, with an umbrella in hand.

It was overcast at home but as I drove downhill, it was obvious the harbour was shrouded in fog. It changes the look of the environment and I was glad I had my camera.

It was low tide

and the fog made it impossible to see much beyond the shoreline. 

Over the hour I was there however, the fog appeared to dissipate somewhat. 

The city began to emerge from the fog 

as did the lighthouse, 

which had been invisible. I watched in the quiet of the Easter morning  

as the veil lifted giving the promise of a better day. 

How appropriate!

Wild beauty

The wildflowers along the boardwalk have yet to be too adversely affected by the cold and dark of autumn. 

Though the greens are not as brilliant now and many plants have gone to seed, the plants make a pleasing border. 

They are tall, having achieved their height in the long, hot summer days. The border catches the eye.

The city has planted and maintains wild rose bushes along the path. The rose, pink and white blooms are gone now, except for an occasional straggler. Numerous rose hips replace them, some quite large, others more numerous on a bush but tiny.

One group of rose bushes is almost devoid of rose hips. 

There are open hips exposing some seeds on rocks across from these bushes. 

Were the fruit-eating birds such as waxwings, blackbirds and thrushes eating at this table?

Bulrushes present in wet areas are dried out now, having had their brief few green weeks in the sun. The blackbirds enjoy their company either way.

In the harbour, hundreds of geese are gathered in the sand at low tide. They have muted conversations until one talks of leaving and then a loud discussion ensues prior to take-off, as others decide to join the exodus. Similarly, landing geese are noisy as they glide in on the breeze, staking a claim on a landing spot.

Gulls young and old strut their stuff on the exposed sea bed as they forage for food.

In the stream, the neighbourhood yellow legs is swimming around which is an unusual sight for that wader.

The leaves are changing colour now, a huge difference from last week. The breeze shakes a few more from the branches as we walk by.

In our little city, natural beauty is easy to find.