It feels like it’s been hot and humid forever…weeks anyway. We may have some relief from the humidity later this week. We live in hope!
The golden grand-dog, Daisy, has returned for an extended visit this time and we are challenged to help her use some of her surplus energy every day, despite the heat. One solution has been the beach at Mont Carmel, in the Acadian region of Prince Edward Island, or as the French say, Île-du-Prince-Édouard, IPE.
The Acadian colours are red, white and blue, like the French flag but with the addition of the gold star on the blue.
Along the shoreline, cottages and an area for travel trailers mean there may be a few people on the beach. At various times we saw a kayaker, a paddle boarder, a few swimmers, people fishing for bass and a man in a sailing dinghy.
The sun appeared to highlight the dinghy as it headed out from the shore.
Before long, it was sailing parallel to the shore. Then it went over. We watched with apprehension for 30 seconds or so,
but then the sailor appeared, stood in the water beside the dinghy, preparing to set it upright and board it. Before long he was sailing again.
I tried to photograph a gull near the dinghy then turned to photograph the dinghy again. The photo below is the result, an accidental capture I assure you. The bird is close to the mast but not on it. I couldn’t have staged it better.
Meanwhile, while we were watching the dinghy, my husband has Daisy chasing a ball from a Chuck-it stick. It makes the ball go farther and is easier on our old arms. She never tires of chasing that ball.
Nearby, gulls hang out along the stretch of beach and move around to various spots as the beach goers happen by.
At the eastern point on the beach, one can see the Confederation Bridge in the far distance, over 80 kilometres away by road.
Near one cottage, a bird house behind the Marram grass catches the eye
as do the colourful whirligigs at the base of some flag poles near another.
A stream empties into the Northumberland Strait and the bridge along the road near the beach is looking its age.
By the parking lot, someone reminded everyone to “Smile.” However, we never need such a reminder along this beach.
Finally this week, Cabbage White butterflies are everywhere now and numerous. On our way to the beach, they were noticeable along both sides of the road, flitting about as we drove by. They love the Marram Grass along the beach too.
Yesterday morning, we took Daisy for a walk along the Confederation Trail, when there was a breeze and it was overcast. We parked beside a potato field which had a muddy entrance which attracted the Cabbage Whites. While we see these butterflies everywhere, we have never seen them congregated as they were yesterday. The photo shows one group of several and dozens were flying around too.
Nature always shares something interesting.
