The First Day of Summer

…and the forest was calling! I follow a number of mushroom foraging groups on Facebook and saw images of early chanterelle discoveries last weekend. What better day to head out and check my favourite harvesting spots?

It was a cool morning and I didn’t really get my hopes up too high. I think we need more heat before I can fill my basket. But, it doesn’t hurt to look. Besides, forest bathing is almost as soothing as a beach walk… although the mosquitoes and blackflies were blood-thirsty today!

Just as we returned to the car we discovered a dead tree with these beauties… since we don’t carry a ladder we were unable to reach them. I am waiting to hear back for a positive identification for Oyster Mushrooms.

Making my way back to the main road I spotted a light patch of colour in the under brush. I backtracked quickly and found this cluster of mushrooms within easy reach. Once home, I scoured my mushroom identification books and I am 90% certain that these are indeed Oyster Mushrooms. I always double check with the experts… but if my pups are any indication with their keen interest in the gathering basket filled with mushrooms, these are indeed edible!

We shall see. I never prepare a mushroom I am not 100% certain about. happy first day of summer! Best wishes, Anna

Evening Light

After the weekly free concert at the Parrsboro Bandstand last night I took the long way home. I am glad I did: the hillside covered in lupins was well worth admiring. Upon zooming in I realized the colourful iridescent prisms covering the stems were… aphids! Nature is multi-layered indeed.

The light was quickly changing along the path I i chose. It bathed the trees and flowers in that special Golden Hour light!

May this add some magic to your Monday! Best wishes, Anna

The Ever-changing Sky…

Yesterday was one of those days: The sky kept changing constantly. It made me realize once again how cloudy and clear skies can set the mood for how an image is perceived by the onlooker. Above are a few captures from yesterday.

Contrasting these first gallery images with the second set you can really see how clouds add drama and interest.

The Bay of Fundy never disappoints. Whether I cast my eyes low to search for sea glass, rocks, harvest dulse, walk a sandy stretch of beach barefoot or look up to the mighty cliffs and sky, inspiration is everywhere!

Happy Father’s Day Sunday. Best wishes, Anna

A Misty Saturday

We are on our second day of on-again-off-again rain. I embrace these wet days as the landscape reveals vistas and textures often missed in bright sunlight.

During my morning walk the bridge over the Aboiteau caught my attention. Rarely is the water this still and reflective. With the misty sky everything moves into focus and demands attention

May your Saturday bring out often missed details and beauty in your world! Blessings, Anna

Dulsing Time is Here!

The first dulse harvest of the year is happening! Last year I was so new to this practice that I missed a few points but on the fourth try I felt comfortable…. It’s a busy time and our friend Patrick always invited a big group along. So I decided to head out an hour early to take in the quiet and commune with nature before everyone else arrives.

Dulsing is usually best during a low tide cycle around a new or a full moon. Earlier in the season (like around the June full moon) we collect the most tender dulse. Dulse is not an animal nor a vegetable. It is in its own category right along with seaweed and kelp. Dulse is easy to prepare: you pick it off the ocean floor, remove any small t ock’s or hermit crabs, rinse in the clear ocean water and place into a net bag. Once the bag gets heavy you spread the dulse out on the hot beach rocks (if you have some netting it is helpful) and let the sun do it’s work while you visit with the rest of the group. Checking on the dulse and turning it at least once is recommended before you store it in a paper bag. I add dulse to our dogs’ meals, Colin lives to eat it out of the bag and I use it in cooking. Dulse adds great umami flavour to soups and stews.

Today we walked a fair distance to reach dulse that was abundant and mature enough to harvest. The first few minutes were chilly with our feet adjusting to the cold water. A few deep breaths and all was well. We carefully picked, made sure to leave the roots attached to the rocks for regrowth and with this our first time out this year we didn’t fill our mesh bags to bursting.

I have learned to pack some mesh to spread the dulse out on for drying on the sun.

The drawback with the mesh is that the drying dulse tends to blow away with the wind but at least I don’t have rocks to scrape off later…

What does one do while drying dulse? We walk, we visit with friends, build a fire, roast Hot Dogs… and best of all: we wait for the Meeting of the Waters!

What is the “Meeting of the Waters”? you ask… we gather right in front of the Big Island during the low tide and literally watch the tide rushing in. It’s amazing to watch but even better to experience as the warm waters of the Bay of Fundy surrounds our feet and within seconds rises well above our knees! Check out the video I am posting on my Instagram feed @annahergert.

We left the beach around 1:30 pm with the tide slowly reaching its highest point! It’s always a great view, whether we arrive or leave.

Happy Thursday! May your day be filled with sunshine. Best wishes, Anna

Wild Roses in the Bay of Fundy

Each June the wild roses burst open and invade gardens, road ways and beaches with their bright colour and intoxicating scent!

This rose bush is just a few steps from our home, I must return to the Phinney Green where the wild roses are mesmerizing!

All the best for a fabulous Wednesday! Anna

Lupin and Iris Patches by the Beach!

When a friend texted last night to invite me to walk with her I was able to show her some places about town she had not discovered yet! It’s always such a pleasure to witness newcomers’ delight in new scenery…

I was excited about the change along First Beach. A week ago dandelions lined the bank… this week lupins and iris bring delight!

Happy Saturday. The sun is shining in Parrsboro. It’s going to be a fabulous day, Anna

Sunset at Partridge Island Beach…

The light turns magical just before the sun slips below the horizon… a late day walk on the beach between Ottawa House and Partridge Island never disappoints.

And look at those driftwood textures…

Wishing you all a fabulous start to the weekend, Anna

Did you know?

June 8th is World Clean Oceans Day? We did our bit at West Advocate (Driftwood Beach). We joined a group of like-minded people to cast our eyes to the pebble beach and gather trash.

It’s always enlightening what one finds! Here is Colin and my tally sheet… this is from two set of eyes along a stretch of only about 1 km of beach:

We barely made a dent in the two hours of gathering. The rest of the group did well! A lobster trap adds about 50 lbs to the tally! Countless pieces of plastic makes us all realize that we should not be surprised by scientific data making us aware of micro-plastics found in fish, shell fish and sea salt.

So happy to know that we left this short stretch of beach a little cleaner… until the next high tide brings in new debris. 😜

Food for thought… best wishes! Anna

Down Shore…

Horseshoe Cove near Cape d’Or at low tide provided tranquility and solitude during our first stop in the morning. I was able to dip my toes into the Bay of Fundy for the first time this year. Walking on the fine sand provides the best pedicure!

After three and a half hours looking for “treasures” we drove the rest of the way to Cape d’Or where the wind cooperated and didn’t blow us over the cliff. This was my first ever springtime visit and I was mesmerized by the lush foliage and trees in bloom. What a treat!

We briefly stopped at West Advocate to take in Driftwood Beach and Isle Haute in the distance. The tide was rolling in by now and with it a refreshing breeze kept the biting flies away.

The day was full of wonderful impressions and my visitor and new friend from Montreal was very pleased with her experiences exploring the Fundy GeoPark for the third day.

I hope you enjoyed the images of our excursions this week. Wishing you all a fabulous weekend. Happy Friday!

Rock Hounding in the Bay of Fundy

Exploring the beaches has become my passion. Sharing the area with visitors is the next best thing. This week I am spending time with a young rock hounder from Quebec. Our first stop was Wasson’s Bluff shortly after sunrise on Tuesday.

Tuesday afternoon we ventured to Five Island Provincial Park to explore the beach around the “Old Wive” formation. It was a bit of a hike into the park as it isn’t open to the public till Friday this week.

Wednesday morning Partridge Island was on the agenda where we did well looking for amethyst and agate.

We finished the day at Clarke Head at low tide and just before sunset. I am pretty sure my new friend’s first visit to the Parrsboro Shore won’t be her last!

As you read this post we are on our way to Horseshoe Cove and Cape d’Or this morning. Images will follow.

Wishing you all a fabulous Thursday. Best wishes, Anna