At the estuary

This autumn, my husband and I have been visiting various beaches and waterways of the Prince Edward Island which we haven’t explored before. Many of our usual haunts haven’t been cleared since Fiona blew through. Recently we went west to Alaska, passing the Brae River along the way. The river flows into Brae Harbour on the southwest coast of the island on the Northumberland Strait.

We were happy to see so many birds on the Brae River and the surrounding estuary as the tide was falling so we stopped for some photos.

The grasses in the estuary are golden this time of year 

and since there weren’t many leaves on the trees to change colour this autumn because of Fiona, 

the colour of the grasses and the surrounding vegetation were a treat. We took lots of photos.

However, we didn’t totally neglect the birds. A Kingfisher,

Greater Yellowlegs

and the small Bonaparte’s Gulls held our attention too. 

In the distance we could see ducks and herons.

We continued on to Alaska where we explored and had lunch. On the way back, a few hours later, we stopped at the estuary again. As we left the car, a huge flock of Starlings took off from the wire where they were sitting. Minutes later we watched a murmuration across the sky as somehow the starlings moved as one. 

I was so excited to watch them, I neglected to take video. 

On the water, a cormorant dived for a meal and then spread his wings to dry. 

In the distance, the herons, gulls and ducks went about their business.

The overcast day gave a silver sheen to the water. 

Looking across to the trees in the distance, a Bald Eagle sat watching the scene too. Had the starlings reacted to its presence?

We observed the setting for a number of minutes before we left for home. That time in nature was priceless! 

  

Friends along the boardwalk

The boardwalk in Summerside is a great place for exercise throughout the year. We are never bored with the section which we frequent because there is always something different to see. Each season brings its own beauty and summer doesn’t disappoint. These are some of the animal friends of the boardwalk which we have enjoyed on our walks the last several weeks.

Red squirrels are as busy as ever and approach walkers for food which many provide. 

The tiny rodents have favourite areas, such as the bridge or a favourite bench where walkers pause and enjoy their company. 

Eastern Chipmunks collect maple seeds which fall on the boardwalk. 

They also take sunflower seeds from walkers although they are not as bold as their fellow rodents, the squirrels.

Dozens of Blue Jays hang out near the bridge too. 

They gather if one stops on the bridge. If you leave peanuts, they will quickly take them. The birds also provide the alarm system for the other animals if a predator comes into the area.

The Common Grackles are noisy and spend time around the bridge as well. 

They will eat seeds left in various feeders but are not as willing to be around people as the jays are.  

Red-winged blackbirds are their usual noisy selves. 

The males will chase off any crows who get too close to their nests among the bulrushes, where the females tend the young.

Every June, Sora visit the stream along the boardwalk. 

These birds are elusive and can be difficult to photograph. I was lucky enough to be there at the right time. Notice the length of its claws.

Herring gulls frequent the area 

and American Black Ducks live along the stream too. We didn’t see any ducklings this year however.

Recently, another walker pointed out a Leopard Frog in the grass along by the boardwalk. 

It was well camouflaged as it watched the proceedings. It stayed quiet and barely moved as we watched it for ten minutes. We had never see a frog there before.

The Song Sparrows are numerous along the length of the boardwalk. One doesn’t have to walk far to hear them perform.

Great Blue Herons visit the bay throughout the season and often stop by the salt water marsh and stream. 

Recently one took flight as we arrived at the gazebo and landed in a tree overlooking the boardwalk.

One great sight along the boardwalk this summer has been a pair of Belted Kingfishers. They perch in the trees along the shore and fish along the coastline. They fly to an area, hover, look below in the water and dive into the water to catch food such as fish, then fly into the trees with it. I have watched them on several occasions now and was lucky enough to take video of one such fishing expedition. You can see it here.

Finally, the last photo is of the end of a culvert which empties by the side of the boardwalk. A young fox on the walkway escaped into the culvert when people came along. We saw it poke its head out once and waited for another glimpse, to no avail. We hope to get its photo one day.

 

  

Breakfast with the birds

It’s early morning at the stream which empties into the harbour

and the sandpipers are busy feeding. 

These birds are tall, with yellow legs, which gives them their name. The flock of starlings is busy nearby and some drop into the islands in the stream. Four of them are busy digging for grubs in the mud.

Then she appears out of the bulrushes, a female green-winged teal. 

She’s the only one of her kind here, but she swims around, up-ending into the water to feed, unconcerned about the others sharing the stream. At one point, she too is on an island with the starlings, as she checks through the mud. Her green spot breaks the camouflage.

In one of the old trees overlooking the scene, an immature yellow bellied sapsucker is busy drilling into the old trunk. By the look of the trunk, this is one of his favourite trees. He makes his way around the trunk, drilling as he goes. He is driven!

Then another bird crosses the stream and lands on a dead branch near the woodpecker. From the profile I can tell it is a kingfisher. The bird, with the unruly topknot, stands on the branch motionless, watching the stream. I couldn't see it at the time but the photo shows the female has a white cross in front of her eye.

Meanwhile the sapsucker drilled for its breakfast behind her.

In the stream below, everyone is busy getting breakfast. The starlings are on the islands digging, the yellowlegs walks on an island, dipping its long beak in the water and the duck is dabbling.

They each have a place in the environment and co-exist peacefully, a testament to the wonder of natural selection.

This time watching the birds is one of my favourite experiences along the boardwalk.