The wind through the wildflowers

The weather this summer has been peculiar. We have had hot days with high humidity, but we’ve also had high winds, making the temperatures bearable. These days are sandwiched between days with the temperatures below normal and the breeze cooling it enough to require long sleeves. The wind is a constant this summer.

One windy morning, we headed to the boardwalk early because of the forecasted humidity later in the day. The southerly wind caused white caps in the harbour. That sea was rough.

Also noticeable was the height of some of the wildflowers blowing in the wind. I am 165 centimetres tall or 5 feet 5 inches and many plants were at eye level. 

The roses are almost two meters high 

and I’ve never seen vetch grow this tall.

Queen Anne’s Lace danced in the breeze. Its younger blooms have yet to achieve the height of those nodding above them.

In early June, my husband and I saw a young child and an older couple, possibly her grandparents, place a small painted birdhouse on the remains of a young tree by the waterside. At that time, the three could easily reach the stick to place the birdhouse. The grass was no more than ankle high. Such is not the case today. The grasses tower over me, bending in the breeze. 

Goldenrod is beginning to bloom and has achieved an impressive height as it joins the other tall plants along the boardwalk.

We are in awe of nature!

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.