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.

A day at North Cape

One of our most memorable outings ever was to North Cape on Prince Edward Island which we visited recently. We saw on social media about seals at North Cape and changed our plans that morning in the hope of spotting some. We weren’t disappointed with the seals but they were a small part of the experience that day.

North Cape is on the northwest tip of the island and on a beautiful autumn day, the hour drive was enjoyable. When we arrived, the seals were obvious, 

on the rock reef, part of the longest such natural reef in North America. There the waters of the Northumberland Strait and the Gulf of St. Lawrence merge.

Double crested cormorants and a variety of gulls enjoyed one end of the reef 

while the seals took up two areas at the far end. 

Looking at the water nearby, bobbing heads of the furry mammals basked in the sun between fishing forays into the briny blue. 

Meanwhile, human fishers shared in the bounty of marine life as well.

We walked along the shoreline to the sea arch in the area which has greatly expanded since our last visit. Storms may make a sea stack out of this arch in the near future.

The trails along the shoreline are lined with grass which was full of crickets in an orchestra that was loud but tuned. As we walked by, dozens of Savannah Sparrows flew out of the grass and flew nearby, waiting for us to pass so they could continue lunch. This one landed on a nearby rock on the shoreline.

We had lunch at the head of the Black Marsh Trail, and listened to the sounds of the crickets and the sea. Afterwards, we walked the trail and watched three Turkey Vultures as they sailed on the thermals above the shoreline, smelling and looking for carrion. 

The trail meanders along the edge of the shoreline and through trees nearby. One viewing area lets observers see what lies ahead. 

The wind turbines in the scene always give me hope that one day, humankind will be easier on our environment.

At the black marsh, we sat and looked out over the landscape, a marsh which is familiar to Newfoundlanders like us, containing cloudberries and pitcher plants. 

We continued on to the sea stack, past the remains of the trees along the shoreline. Weathered by sea spray and wind, they stand as sculptures created by nature’s hand.  

When we arrived back near the reef, we noticed sea birds enjoying the area too, floating around among the seals bobbing in the water. Eider Ducks, Scoters and Mergansers added to the nature quest for the day. 

Nearby, a small flock of Sanderlings landed on the rocks in front of us.

On the way home, we stopped at St. Simon and St. Jude Roman Catholic Church to see man’s creation compared to the natural one we had just left. 

The church is a beauty, with some stained glass windows, not often seen in island churches. Its ceiling is reminiscent of a night sky.

It was a gorgeous fall day on the island and at every turn, there was something to appreciate and enjoy!