Rich Local Natural History

A half hour just before the tide rolled in last Sunday yielded some nice crystal finds at Partridge Island beach.

Our area is a rock hound’s paradise and multiple-guided tours stop at this beach regularly. Parrsboro is uniquely situated on the Minas Basin and as such has had an important place in how the planet evolved. Google “Pangea” or “ super continent” and fill your mind with amazing facts!

Here is an image from the Fundy Geological Museum with examples of the provincial mineral and its diverse appearance.

It’s fantastic to have such a great resource right here in town. The Fundy Geological Museum is open from Wednesday through Monday. Make sure to drop by and explore the natural history of the area with amazing interactive displays.

Happy Wednesday, Anna

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