The view from here

This past week was busy and on several occasions we walked between the raindrops. However it was a lovely first week in October although a bit cooler than last month.

We met up with our friends, Helen and Frank, again and this time we drove west, stopping at Northport. The view from a wharf there is classic, 

the sea, lighthouse*, cormorants, and fishing boats. Some boats have already been pulled ashore for the season.

We continued our drive along the coast to Tignish Shore where the low tide revealed sea glass along the shoreline. Helen’s keen eyes found browns and greens which eluded me. Thank you, Helen!

At the far eastern end of the beach, we saw the nesting holes of Bank Swallows although the birds left the island for southern regions weeks ago. 

I hope winter doesn’t erode the soil, destroying the holes for the birds on their return.

At North Cape, we saw seals in the water, their heads poked out between dives, as they observed the people along the shore and the rock reef.

The reef, the largest of its kind in North American, is formed where the Northumberland Strait and the Gulf of St. Lawrence merge. People were walking on the reef, the first time my husband and I have seen people there.

Erosion is obvious along this shoreline with the collapse of the arch roof forming this sea stack. A hole in the stack will probably undermine the stack itself over the next several seasons.

We had a leisurely picnic lunch at North Cape and enjoyed the time with our friends.

This past week, as always, presented some interesting sights along the boardwalk. One day, from the gazebo, we observed a Great Blue Heron, Black Ducks and Mallards along the shoreline by the salt marsh.

As we watched, a lone Black Duck came out of the bulrushes in the marsh and started quacking insistently. Many of the ducks in the bay headed into the marsh, 

some waddled, while others flew. 

Once there, the ducks dispersed around the marsh.

It was fascinating to watch how one duck could marshal the others as it did. We can only wonder the reason for the action of one and response of the others. Meanwhile, the Heron caught some fish which you can see from the bulge in its long outstretched neck as it swallowed.

Also along the boardwalk, Common Grackles were their usual loud selves as the chatted in the trees. 

I love how the shape and colour of the feathers are visible in this photo. They are late migrating this year.

A male Northern Flicker, a species of woodpecker, was busy digging in the ground. The markings on its feathers are impressive.

The autumn colour has begun, as the trees, including many Red Maples, are beautiful again this year.

Along the shoreline, the Asters stand out among the seed heads and changing leaves.

The view never fails to amaze us!

*The lighthouse was decommissioned and is now in private hands as a summer home.

P.S.

I walked with my friend, Lucy, at Brander’s Pond this past week. It was a sunny day and the coastline look different from the same scene last month.

Joy of early morning

We always start a walk at the gazebo. It overlooks the saltwater marsh and the stream which empties into the Summerside Harbour. There are usually ducks in the stream or hidden among the reeds and wheatgrass. 

However, other feathered friends often drop by the area and spotting and observing them are always pleasant for my husband and I. Our early morning outings now, ahead of the heat later in the day, always start off with avian-induced smiles.

The chattering male Red-winged Blackbirds are always about,

flying amongst the reeds and trees. Occasionally, a female leaves her nesting duty and feeds in an area where she is visible. 

European Starlings congregate in the part of the stream which empties into the Summerside Harbour.

We see them later on the bridge overlooking the area.

Most of the time, Common Grackles dart around too quickly for me to photograph. This one was the exception 

and later it met up with some friends for a chat in a nearby tree.

Over a period of two weeks, I tried unsuccessfully to take a good photo of a Sora. Then early one clear morning, after numerous attempts, my husband took some great photos of the fast moving bird. I finally took a photo which shows its white crinoline.

That same morning, I saw a Killdeer for the first time. We see plovers on the beach every year but the Killdeer has always escaped us. It was camouflaged amongst the straw and other plant material in the stream but I managed a digital capture.

The ducks always interest us as well. There are Mallards and American Black Ducks living in the saltwater marsh these days. One morning, we could hear a duck among the reeds and wheatgrass long before we saw it. When the ducks appeared, one Black Duck was the source of the quacking but others weren’t thrilled with it and several chased after it. It persisted. You can hear that persistent duck here. 

“Don’t let anyone keep you from uttering your truth Ducky, “ I said as we turned to leave.

Watching birds is a great way to begin any day.

P.S.

In my last post, David at  https://travelswithbirds.blogspot.com/  asked about Piping Plovers at Cabot Beach.

On Prince Edward Island, there is a concerted effort to encourage nesting of Piping Plovers. Where the birds are known to nest, areas on the beaches are cordoned off to allow the birds to nest without interference. To my knowledge, Cabot Beach has never been such an area. 

The boardwalk in late summer

It’s been a hot and humid summer, with weeks of heat advisories. My husband and I have not walked the boardwalk in Summerside, Prince Edward Island for a few months, so when the heat advisories ceased, off we went. 

Numerous Cabbage white butterflies flit around the foliage along the boardwalk. However this White admiral pauses long enough for me to take a photo.

The birds are active as usual, especially the blue jays. There are dozens of them in this area and their calls fill the air. On a day when there is no wind, the calls of the jays drown out the crows and ravens.

Chipmunks are back again. I didn’t see them this past spring. They are more timid than the squirrels which approach people. Chipmunks are more shy and less trusting of people. 

Squirrels take every morsel offered by passersby. Every generation of the furry creatures learns quickly to approach all who happen by. They are rewarded often enough to keep them interested.

The Common grackles take interest in the bird seed left by people. They watch stealthily as they approach the seeds, like bandits!

Song sparrows attract attention as they sing and hop among the branches. Rarely do they land on the walkway. 

Their friends the Mourning doves mosey along the boardwalk, oblivious to the walkers.

In the water, American black ducks periodically hide among the grasses at the edge of the stream.

A muskrat takes time to check for peanuts. The younger ones are trained by their parents in what to watch for and when to hide.

Greater yellow legs find their way to the stream every year. This year, one is commonly around on her own with occasional yellow leg visitors.

A Great blue heron loves this marsh area as well. Often found wading in the water, on this day she is stood guard in a spruce tree. This is the first time we’v seen a heron in a tree. 

I also caught her flying past on her way elsewhere.

Osprey nests looks abandoned. Their property needs a ‘Vacancy’ sign.

As a tribute to all the people who bring peanuts and seeds to feed the animals, a single sunflower seed, carried by the wind, water or dropped by a bird, took root along the water’s edge. She shines for all to see as people and animals go about their business. It will be interesting to see if birds eat at the seeds when they mature.

A walk in June

Low tide and the city workers had just finished on the beach, removing the seaweed which accumulates there. 

 

The sun was in its late morning position in the June sky, its heat attempting to penetrate to the bones. The breeze made it bearable as my husband and I walked on the boardwalk in Summerside, Prince Edward Island.

Our city does a great job maintaining the grounds around this trail and the trail itself. The wild roses, which line a part of the trail, are in bloom now and add splashes of colour to the June green.

 

We are accustomed to this trail with leafless trees for months of the year. When the leaves are unfurled for the long hours of daylight, we stop often to admire the setting.

 

                                   Can you find the squirrel in this scene?

While the geese are gone north now, the grackles are busy collecting grubs to feed their young. 

 

The song sparrows are singing their usual melodies, this time with dame's rockets in the foreground. 

 

The blue jays, ever present,

 

are vying for their share of the peanut shells which adoring residents throw out for the squirrels 

 

and chipmunks. 

 

White-throated Sparrows are busy collecting the seeds left by human benefactors as well.

 

Two osprey nests, in different areas of the boardwalk, are occupied, the residents settled deep in their large homes which contain fresh greenery and some recycled material.

 

The fiddleheads have unfurled now 

 

and ferns are plentiful along the sides of the trail. Dandelion are gone to seed and some have yet to be dispersed by the wind. 

 

Meanwhile willow seed covers the sides of the trail in places. 

 

Nature always has surprises for us along this boardwalk.