The Flora of Brier Island

At the Westport Cove lighthouse

much to our delight we found a rusty gate.

It had shed much rust

which we gathered in paper bags.

The sea had left behind

a long tree of stitching inspiration.

As usual the rock forms drew my eye.

Beach pea was everywhere.

and the sun shone on huge areas

of cinnamon fern.

We couldn't identify these little waxy red leaves

but don't they show great promise for

natural dyeing!

We didn't pick anything

Most of Brier Island belongs to the Nature Conservancy.

Wild lily of the valley

The amazing pitcher plant.

Wish I had better pictures of it's underside

and the pitcher leaves.

Such a glorious day finding wild plants in bloom

all over the cliffs

and of course the pitcher plant

was in the bog inland from the cliffs.

Exploring Brier Island

Diane and I decided to take a trip down to Brier Island
As it happens we picked the very first warm
windless day. 
We drove down the Digby Neck
and caught the Petit Passage ferry to Long Island.

We drove the length of Long Island 
and caught a second ferry to Westport
the small village on Brier Island.

First we went to Peter Island Whitehouse

The water was mirror-like
except where it turned the corner on this little headland.
The currents in these narrow passages between the islands can be
treacherous but we watched cormorants
ride them with gay abandon.

Seagulls were everywhere

on rocks and seaweed

on cliffs

and even on stunted trees.

If the rocks weren't covered in seagulls
they were alive with cormorants.

Basalt rocks
always so geometric
jutted through seaweed.

 Seaweed also clung to the rocky edges
beneath the water's surface.

Ida ducklings were escorted
around the rocks by caring adults.

And the rocks
oh, so much inspiration

for future stitchings.