You may have noticed that I've been slower off the mark for blog writing in recent days. It's bbecause we are early risers and often choose to get out and about when the natural world is quiet and we don't have to contend with school buses on the way to our destinations.
This morning we were on our way to Prince Edward County, the almost-island that juts into Lake Ontario, by what some would claim is the ungodly hour of 6:30 am. Because of its location PEC has a unique climate and unusual wildflowers. We go there at least once in the Spring for the trilliums, the marsh marigolds, and other ephemerals. Timing outings for the "here today, gone tomorrow" flowers is a fun challenge for a couple of oldtimers.
Marsh Marigolds
At the Beaver Meadow Conservation Area we pulled on high waterproof boots to get back to a marshy area for those marigolds. The spot is at the end of a trail and when we arrive there is always the sense we are in a watery cathedral, a holy place. We have yet to meet any other people there and that works for us. As we stood in the absence of human-made noise the birdsong was almost overwhelming, in the best possible way.
A stream runs through the marsh and I pointed out a moving ripple on the surface which turned out to be a fair sized snapping turtle meandering along. I think we were both holding our breath as it passed by and it was too because it didn't surface -- shared apnea?
For some this would not be a prime-time moment but for us it was enchanting. It brought to mind the image above, a print signed by the artist but sadly illegible. I do know that it is by an Indigenous artist and we purchased it at least 30 years ago. The title, A Drifting Moment of Grace says it all. There are many churches with the name Grace and we sing of Amazing Grace but the magnanimous grace of the Creator is so often evident in the natural world.
Red Trilliums
We went on to Point Petre where there are other flowers such as Dutchman's Breeches we don't see anywhere else. Here is a partial list of the birds we either saw and heard on our rambles. I would like to claim bird nerd superiority but it is the Merlin App that identified many of them
Trumpeter Swan, Belted Kingfisher, Redstart,
Baltimore Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Common Tern,
Yellow Warbler, Red-Bellied Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker,
Red-Winged Blackbird, Common Merganser, Wood Thrush,
Eastern Bluebird, Robin, Kildeer,
Swamp Sparrow, Blue Jay, Marsh Wren,
Common Yellowthroat, Cobra Chicken (Canada Goose) & more!
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