In the green

Last week was a windy one and the open areas along the boardwalk were cold enough to require a jacket. Among the trees on the trails of the Rotary Park in Summerside was quite lovely though, as was the River Trail in Tyne Valley. We had a picnic in Tyne Valley, about a thirty minute drive from home. We also took our first bike ride last week.

The trails through the forest in the Rotary Park are glowing with new green.

The leaves overhead are also open now and spread adoringly before the sun which they worship for the next several months.

Along the boardwalk, nesting Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers are sometimes visible as an adult pokes its beak through the hole in the tree. 

On the River Trail, evidence of Sapsuckers abounds and we heard numerous woodpeckers as we walked the trail. I spotted a male and female in the same tree.

Two apple trees among some huge pines on the Rotary Trail are in full bloom.

The blossoms were abuzz with huge bees flitting among the blooms.

Along the River Trail, apple blossoms were numerous too.

At one location, near the beginning of the trail, petals randomly covered the soil, leaving white speckles on the red sand.

In some areas of the River Trail, the plants almost created a tunnel, except for a few beams of light which managed to break through the leaf cover on a windy day. 

The river in Tyne Valley flows gently along, not in a rush to get anywhere most days. In this area by a bridge, the water and reflection resemble a watercolour painting.

Later in the week, smoke from the fires in western Canada joined the fog in Bedeque Bay. The lighthouse across the bay couldn’t distinguish between the two. 

We had heavy rain this past week on several occasions. How I wish we could share the rain with western Canada. So many people are out of their homes in northern Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta. Rain is urgently needed.

The last photo of the day is a Mourning Dove looking down at the world. I understand that look.

Finally, this past week, while walking the boardwalk, we chatted with a gentleman about the beauty of the day and the pleasant surroundings. He was so pleased to be there, unassisted, at 92 years old, enjoying the setting and the day. We were thrilled for him!

Enjoy your day!

  

Not again!

Winter has been checking in with us this past week. Snow was gone then returned three times. Enough of that persistence! A week without snow isn’t too much to ask, is it? I much prefer a walk outside rather than the treadmill, but that wasn’t always possible last week.

One day, when we could walk the boardwalk, I watched an area where various species of birds like to gather. During a 15 minute period I saw a Grackle, Blue Jays, Crows, a Gull, Mourning Doves, 

Tree Sparrows, 

Black-eyed Juncos, 

and Black-capped Chickadees

Meanwhile, in the stream nearby Black Ducks and Mallards 

fed in the stream. Robins looked for food nearby as well.

On the way home another day, Canada Geese fed in a field near our house. The look of this vegetation is typical of our area this time of year. The snow must go for more than a day before everything starts to turn green.

On Saturday, we attended our granddaughter’s last gymnastics competition for this season. Over the last year, Granddaughter 2 has gained confidence and improved her skills tremendously. It is always a pleasure to watch her perform.

At the competition, I sat next to a man I believe to be a Ukrainian immigrant. His daughter was competing and performed well too. When Russia invaded Ukraine, almost 300,000 Ukrainians came to Canada and a number settled on Prince Edward Island. They left when an aggressor invaded their homeland, in an effort to acquire their land and all its resources. 

I can’t help but wonder how these new islanders feel about the prospect of the same thing happening to this country at the hands of a different aggressor. Do they take the rhetoric seriously? Many people do.

We live in sad times!

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!