The joy of summer

Prince Edward Island is a windy place though in the heat and humidity of summer, the island breeze makes it bearable. Two days this past week however, we had winds approaching 70 kilometres an hour. It was hard to keep a hat on unless it was tied down. We walked early those days, as usual, glad for the breeze in spite of its velocity.

It was interesting to watch the birds on such days. On the way to the boardwalk, one would know from the flock of landed gulls that the wind was high. They stand into the wind as did the two Black Ducks 

and two Yellowlegs in the salt marsh that day. One female Green-winged Teal was too hungry to care about the wind.

On a calmer day, a Great Blue Heron was feeding just outside the marsh in the bay, in the same area as in the first photo. 

Quite a difference in conditions those two days!

Later that same morning I saw five other Herons along the north shore of Bedeque Bay. One was particularly beautiful, 

standing on its own, watching for its breakfast to swim past. Two others were preening as a gull flew over.

While the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker chicks appear to have fledged this past week, squirrels have been entertaining us. I have watched them among the trees in the same area 

and have seen them carrying peanuts away from the nearby bridge where walkers leave them. One squirrel was barely visible along the forest floor, carrying a nutty treasure.

By the time I arrived at the bridge myself, a man was passing out peanuts to the Blue Jays and other birds in the area. I watched as a squirrel came along to take a peanut and head back to the same area I had come from. 

Our golden grand-dog has spent an extra long weekend with us this past week and will be leaving for home later today. We will miss her.

If a senior wants to stay active, a dog is one way to do it. Some days we did two walks, trying to use up some of that young dog energy. As I’ve written before, Daisy will keep retrieving a thrown ball, stick, or frisbee until your arm drops off. 

We always walk the Confederation Trail with Daisy, letting her off lead when we can.

The section of trail we frequent doesn’t have as many apple trees as other parts of the trail. However, this crabapple tree is loaded with apples already though we haven’t tried them.

The wildflowers along the trail always catch my eye.

Also, the buckwheat growing in several fields along the route is in full bloom 

and looks so beautiful through a hedge of wildflowers. 

The wheat, rich in colour now is easily recognizable from the trail.

Finally this week, after spending so much time with Daisy, I realize how much joy she finds in the simple things. 

I wish you such joy!

The sights and sounds of spring

While spring broke through the remnants of winter last week, my husband and I watched for the signs of spring we see every year as we walk the boardwalk in Summerside.

The bay was free of ice on the first day of spring and including the mouth of the bay, unlike two days earlier. This scene always reminds me how endangered the island is when it comes to rising sea levels.

At the mouth of the Wilmot River, we discovered the huge flock of Canada Geese we had seen overhead. The return of the geese in mid to late March is always a rite of spring.

The Song Sparrows returned to our garden last week. We have seen them around the yard and look forward to their serenade in the early morning when we can leave the windows open again. Meanwhile, we hadn’t heard them singing yet until one day, along the boardwalk where many sparrows nest, a hardy little bird was singing one of the first serenades of the year.

The robins are back and while others have seen them, we saw our first of the season yesterday.

A strong on-shore wind blew ice back into the bay this past weekend. The ice is diminished compared to the previous week and is mainly slushy now. Walking along by the shoreline however, one can hear pieces of ice cracking, a spring sound to anyone who is familiar with an icy sea.

The gulls have been raving about spring too, with their best calls to the sea, a sound that is music to my soul. 

March every year, Black Scoters, diving ducks which visit the island every winter, spend time feeding in the bay before they head north to breed. We saw the ducks and heard their whistles on Sunday. They are part of the symphony of spring.

Winter is holding on to the island, but the signs of spring around us keep us hopeful and eager to experience the season.

Bits and pieces

At first light every morning, the Song Sparrow sits on the rail outside our window and sings to the rising sun. The tiny birds have been back on Prince Edward Island since the end of March. A pair of the these tiny singers make a nest in our hedge every spring. The morning serenade through the open window is a great way to start the day, though a tad early. Often I can sleep again after the sun salutation by my feathered friend.

The only snow left along the boardwalk now is under the trees and in their shade. Already nature is awakening as Coltsfoot blooms are the first bit of colour this spring.

We were in North Rustico on the north shore of the island last week and fishers have begun to put their boats in the water again in readiness for the lobster fishery.

After my last post, several readers commented about the cost of a lobster licence, going for as much as $7,000,000. These days, many licence holders pass the license down to a family member when s/he is ready to retire from the industry.

Geese were in the harbour at North Rustico too 

and not far away, a pair had staked out a small wetland area for themselves. It is near a road and parking lot but the two appeared not to care.

A lone Ring-billed gull enjoyed a walk on the beach 

while nearby, snow was slow to melt along the headland at water level.

News from our house:

The weather is above zero most nights now and we have had a few days with temperatures in the low double digits. We were able to put out the clothesline again and the clothes dried in a few hours one sunny day.

We put the barbecue back on the patio last week and had our first barbecue as well. It will be a few weeks before we can eat outdoors though.

I had Covid last month for the second time. It affected my blood pressure this time and it still isn’t back to where it had been prior to this second bout. I am monitoring my BP and have another doctor’s appointment soon. I don’t want Covid again. I am taking all the precautions. However I was doing that before this last bout too. 

Winter beach

A walk on the beach in winter is a welcome distraction. Of course it is easier on a windless day which is what we did. My husband and I drove to the north central shore in the national park on Prince Edward Island but beach access is limited this year. Much of the damage to the park has not been repaired since the destruction of Fiona. Also this year, the Gulf of St. Lawrence hasn’t frozen around the coastline of the island. The ice would prevent much of the erosion in winter. Therefore, the shoreline is unprotected thus far this winter and more erosion is a concern. However, one of the few areas where one can access the beach is at North Rustico. 

It was a cold day but without the wind, one could dress for the temperature. There were a few people on the beach, but gulls were the main attraction. 

They provided the beach music, that call so familiar in a maritime setting.

Along the beach, at the high tide mark, the foam was frozen. 

Seaweed strewn across the beach was stiff from the cold. 

Driftwood cast a shadow in the winter light.

Even the rocks looked petrified. 

An occasional feather made one wonder if a bird missed the insulation the feather would afford.

A stream crossed the beach, rushing to meet the Gulf of St. Lawrence. 

Old weathered pylons from what could have been a wharf cross the stream. In the distance summer cottages wait for the heat which always brings visitors. 

Later, we visited the old fisherman, frozen in the North Rustico Harbour this time of year. 

Along the north shore, the coastline showed the icy touch of winter on the cliffs and rocks.

On our way home, we drove through the community of Stanley Bridge where the Stanley River is frozen. On the ice a Bald Eagle was scanning the area.

I took some photos from the car which it didn’t appear to mind as it stayed there the longest time. I wish it had let me know when it was taking flight so I could have had a better shot of its length. However, its feet and claws were well exposed in this shot and one can well imagine how this bird catches its food.

And it’s only six weeks to spring!

Animal surprise

When my husband and I arrive at the boardwalk, by bike or car, we never know what awaits us any particular day. While we can know the weather forecast, including wind speed and direction, what cloud cover to expect and the tidal conditions, we can never predict what animals we’ll see.

Such was the case when we arrived at the boardwalk recently. A Herring Gull, a common sight and sound in the area makes us feel at home by the bay. 

Its plaintive cry is louder than a chorus of tiny Bonaparte’s Gulls, who make a croak-like sound when they are calling.

Nearby a Greater Yellowlegs fed among the tidal pools created by the falling tide.

Three Semipalmated Plovers were well hidden among the exposed rocks.

A Mourning Dove watched from a nearby tree 

and an Eastern Chipmunk turned away when we didn’t offer peanuts.

At a feeder near the turn-about, a Red Squirrel had conquered the squirrel-proof feeder and was enjoying brunch.

My husband caught sight of movement in the tree where we had previously seen an Osprey and surprisingly, this time a mature Bald Eagle was watching the bay.

It was aware of its human admirers but outlasted our observations. 

It was amazing to watch as it turned its head 180 degrees as it observed us.

Before we left the area, we were glad to see a Great Blue Heron, which could have been the one which frequents the area, out in the bay, watching for its next meal too.

Another great day with the animals along the boardwalk!