Maples

The trees on Prince Edward Island continue to drop the last of their leaves. In exposed areas many trees are bare. 

In more protected areas, autumn splendour will continue for another few days. Meanwhile, we continue to enjoy the show.

Maple trees are among my favourites. Part of my love of that tree is its connection to the Canadian flag where the maple leaf takes centre stage. However, the main reason is due probably to the display the trees put on this time of year. The Rotary Friendship Trail has such a display.

There are a number of varieties of maple trees. The maple leaf on the Canadian flag is from a Sugar Maple, with its sharp points and rounded notches. These leaves can vary in autumn colour from red 

to yellow 

and orange. 

There are also Red Maple trees. These leaves have pointed notches and turn red in the autumn.

Maple syrup is harvested from Sugar and Red Maples in the spring. It is our favourite topping for pancakes.

The trails and paths are covered in maple leaves in some areas.

I also admire the determination of the maple tree. The top is gone from this one but the trunk sprouted leaves anyway.

Even in old age, this Red Maple tree trunk along the Bonshaw Trail is quite beautiful. 

There is so much to love about these trees.

Cavendish Grove

After several busy days at home we were ready for an excursion. We headed to Cavendish and by accident, turned into the Grove. It was a great discovery with over 12 kilometers of trails. We were pressed for time, and didn't explore too far that day but we will return.

Spring has taken hold on Prince Edward Island now and the Grove showed us its splendor. Sugar maple trees, which are not common on the island but are to this place, were in bloom. 

 

Some trees have their leaves, including the willows. They were resplendent in their new spring colour. 

 

Around the ponds, the old bulrushes stand their ground 

 

while nearby new plants are ready to take their place. 

 

The birds showed their spring behaviour as well. 

 

A pair of geese appear to be nesting on the banks of one of the ponds. 

 

A family who lives near the pond and visits there often told us a pair of geese comes back there every year. Goslings mature in and around the pond. We hope to see them this year.

A pair of red-winged blackbirds, male and female, darted around the old bulrushes on another pond. We were fortunate to see a female of that species;

 

the males are the showy ones who make their presence known all of the time. 

 

Bees were out in full force on the dandelions all over the Grove.

 

It was good to see so many of them. The Grove was a-buzz with spring.