Maritimes - Summer 2008
July 5 - 25, 2008
Day 18 - July 22: Parlee Beach, Dune de Bouctouche, Spring, & Dorchester Copper Mine: Dunes de Bouctouche
We've come to the dune de Bouctouche several times before but it was nice to have an excuse to come back again. While Rubby walked the entire boardwalk (with Christopher sleeping in the back carrier) to get the necessary information, Samantha stayed along the beach. Samantha had great fun making a piping plover nest in the sand into which she put rock eggs and then she made a stick fence around the nest to protect the eggs. (I guess she's learned something about piping plovers on this trip!). We were also happy to spot a single seal out in the waters... the only one we managed to spot on our vacation in the maritimes.
From the Earthcache description:
"The sand dune that stretches 12 kilometers across Bouctouche Bay is a result of the constant action of wind, tides, and sea currents that have been ongoing since the last ice age. After every major storm its shape changes.
This environmentally significant area is the habitat for a rich variety of marine and aquatic plants and animals, and for shorebirds and migratory birds. The sand beach with warm, shallow sea water stretches the length of the dune.
Today, the dune can be shared by people who want to enjoy its special beauty. From the 2 kilometer boardwalk along the length of the dune, the public can observe the dune's wilderness without endangering its sensitive areas. The boardwalk is wheelchair accessible with ramps to the beach and inner bay, and as such, this earthcache is wheelchair friendly.
The Great Blue Heron can be observed during most of the summer on the bay side of the dune, spearing fish or roosting. The Piping Plover is a small shorebird that comes to the dune's beaches each spring to reproduce. Habitat loss is the main reason for the Plover's dwindling population and its endangered status."
Arrival at the Dunes de Bouctouche
Samantha at the Dune Garden.
A display on the different types of shells we've been finding.
Samantha makes various animal tracks in the sand.
Hello... anyone there? Unfortunately a lot of the display pieces were in need of repair.
This aquarium reminded us of the one at Fundy park.
A view of the boardwalk at the Dunes de Bouctouche.
While Rubby heads off with Christopher to walk the whole boardwalk...
...Samantha is happy to play in the sand with mom
Sam's moth friend that she rescued from the strong wind.
Samantha building a piping plover nest with little shells
as the eggs and a fence to protect them.
Christopher takes a nap from the long walk on the boardwalk.
Samantha the mommy piping plover guarding her nest.
A duck in the salt marsh.
The view back from the end of the boardwalk.
The grassy dunes.
Samantha liked these Acadian lobster traps we saw on the way back to the car.
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