Unfortunately Frank hasn't been feeling well since our arrival. He is quite congested in his sinus's. As a result we haven't ventured far during the time we aren't with the family. I had learnt of 'Hyde Pond' through a womderful Facebook group called 'PEI Good news only'! This group showcases the beauty of the island regularly.
Mid Friday afternoon I set out to find it. Strava recorded that it was only 2 km away and a pretty walk at that.
I have since returned 2 more times and they won't be the last. It is a magical place at present. I would think the pond would only be about 500m long, but at present it is the resting place of hundreds of Canada Geese. What a sight to experience.
The first two photos are at the narrow northern end of the pond.
View to the southern end, from about halfway.
The trail continued on past the pond.
The pond feeds into West River.
The sunset on this evening was an artwork of beauty.
The decision was made to return to the Hyde Pond for the following sunrise. I was not disappointed but surprised not to find any geese. The pond now belonged to the ducks although an occasional group of geese flew over.
6.15am, just setting off.
First view - 6.35am.
I walked backwards and forwards along the shoreline several times trying to make the most of every viewpoint.
On finding no geese, I assumed their southern migration had begun. Thanks to Blair on PEI Good news, I learnt that this wasn't the case. They mostly flew out late afternoon and returned in the dark. He wasn't sure why they weren't there for sunrise. Sunday 4.45pm saw me back at the shoreline. This time I was greeted by just as many geese but also, a large numbers of ducks and seagulls. What a feast for the eyes.
I wasn't there long before I heard a rumbling amongst the geese and a set of ten or more flapped their wings and took to the sky. This was repeated every 5 to ten minutes or so until it was just the ducks left quietly feeding. The geese used the pond like an aircraft runway. Their take off was from the south to the north and then they all veered away to the right and turned SW.
A tranquil pond.
As I left, I could hear an even louder calling of the geese, somwhere in the direction they had flown. Soon I saw this mass in flight.
I will be returning. Nature is most definitely food for the soul.
I would love to read your comment.
What a wonderful place I would absolutely love to visit. The sound of those geese has to be one of my favourite. It reminds me of that film fly away home! B x
ReplyDeleteI keep on visiting. Sometimes the geese are there. Sometimes they arrive whilst I am there. Just so wonderful to experience for this Aussie.
DeleteWe'll be seeing the flyovers soon. I saw a huge number of Canada Geese grazing on the grass in a grade school playing field yesterday. We seem many more geese than ducks here. Great post, Helen!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Bill. How wonderful to see so many. They are incredible to watch in flight.
DeleteI hope Frank feels better soon so he can enjoy the sights and sounds on these outings with you!
ReplyDeleteFrank is doing much better, thank you and loved our visit to Grand Tracadie, next post.
DeleteGreat to find a place like that which is near at hand. Most geese have their favoured roosting areas - a body of water where they feel safe from predators. I have a regular fly-past over my house most mornings and evenings. One of the great wildlife sights in the UK is the movement of geese out on to a broad but shallow estuary called The Wash - thousands of geese fly over at twilight.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful for you, John. We are having a few days in Suffolk when we leave here on the 15th. Perhaps I will get to see some flying over there.
DeleteI have never been to that park and pond. I will have to fix that issue. I especially love the photos with the fog rising from the water and where the trees are a veil over the view of the water.
ReplyDeleteMarie, it is small but beautiful.
DeleteAll those flowers, the sunrise, the mist and the reflections in water... This, again, is one of your most beautiful posts ever! :)
ReplyDeleteIn these days, we see some geese flying towards the south as well.
Happy autumn moments to you and yours, dear Helen!
😘😘😘Thank you Sara. You made me misty eyed.
DeleteHi, I'm visiting your blog from a link at Marie Smith's blog "Island Musings." Glad you're enjoying PEI's abundant natural beauty! I would have assumed those Canada Geese were flying south too -- it's time!
ReplyDeleteThey are still here. I had a marvellous experience when visiting the pond yesterday morning. Not one bird on arrival. Half hour later, 4 came. Then 30 and so on.
DeleteYou’ve found a beautiful escape at Hyde Pond, especially with all those Canada Geese! It’s great that you were able to venture out even with Frank not feeling well. The peacefulness of the pond must be a wonderful spot to enjoy nature. I’m glad to hear you’re planning to return—those magical places always seem to call us back!
ReplyDeleteRead my new blog post on www.melodyjacob.com. Thank you!