A bench with a view

Sometimes I like to sit and take in the view 

when we’re walking along the boardwalk. Occasionally my husband sits with me, other times he continues on his way and stops with me on his way back. This particular bench has a beautiful ocean view and this time of year, the patch of wildflowers provides a lacy edge along the shoreline.  

The dominant bloom now along paths, trails and roadways is Queen Anne’s Lace. 

The Queen rules her domain by sheer numbers but the individual flowers are quite pretty, and a close look reveals a tiny purple flower in the centre of some. 

Blooms are tall enough to move with the wind making them a swaying sea of white to complement the blue beyond.

They dance to the beat on the breeze which only they can sense. The Queens can be mesmerizing to watch most island days when the breeze is a welcome relief from the heat, or for them, a welcome break from the routine of showing their faces to the sun.

The lacy ones welcome all who settle and grow around them, from the newly arrived Joe Pye Weed

to the ubiquitous yellow blooms of the week. 

Clover adds a bit of interest here and there. Chicory is new this year and goldenrod is just starting its tenure for this season. 

Looking through the cluster, you can’t help but notice the green glow, 

provided by leaves and stems, which is often overlooked when the showy blooms abound.

Put those blooms against a blue backdrop of sea and/or sky and you have perfection.

Something new every day

My husband and I walk the boardwalk most days about mid morning, before it is too hot. One of the good things about the area is the breeze along the coastline which cools us as we go. The area which we frequent, is different day to day and my husband and I enjoy discovering what is new or different. 

We always start at the gazebo to see what is happening at the salt marsh/pond that morning. 

There are usually American Black Ducks but if we are lucky, one of the Great Blue Herons who return to Bedeque Bay every summer is visiting the marsh too.

Birds are some of my favourite animals. Birds of any size, shape and description are fascinating to me and I enjoy observing them. I take numerous shots with the hope of one good photo. I especially enjoy photos of birds when several species are in the frame. 

I was pleased this month to see these three species co-existing at the end of the marsh, with the sea in the background. 

The American Black Ducks live in the marsh, moving easily between the marsh and the bay. 

Gulls are always around the bay and this may be a Herring Gull. 

We watched the Great Blue Heron disappear into the bulrushes.

The same day we saw an Osprey that lives in the area perched on a pole which gives it a great view of its domain. 

We hear Osprey and see them hunting sometimes along our way.

A Yellow Bellied Sapsucker was busy among the trees as well. This one stayed at this particular tree long enough for me to take a photo.

Another of the treats that day was the chicory plant which was blooming beside the trail.

It was the first such plant I’d seen along the trail and I’ve noticed it every day since. It is a pretty wildflower which is used in medicine and as a cooking spice.

We always notice the chipmunks too. 

They are so tiny this time of year. Could they be any cuter?

Every day our favourite place for a walk has something which is picture worthy.