May 15, 2025 : You know what that means!

Today the gate opened allowing vehicles to drive deeper into the Elbow Valley along Route 66 and that's where Forgetmenot Pond is located.  But, you already know all about this if you have been a loyal follower of my blog because I post about this every year!  I marked my calendar so I would not forget to go to Forgetmenot Pond once the gate opens.  Once a bit of cloud cleared and some blue popped out, it was as beautiful a scene as usual!  

The early birds gave the feel of a Maritime Reunion!  I hoped to be first at The Pond but caught up to a vehicle ahead of me at the turn off before Powderface Trail.  I then noticed a vehicle behind me but it carried on past the parking lot. I parked further along in the lot from where the first vehicle parked.  We ended up meeting up along the trail.  We chatted and decided to carry on together into the forest section looking for birds and with hopes of seeing the Mustangs.  As we meandered along, she shared that she was from Prince Edward Island, I told her I was from Nova Scotia. The next person I spoke to was from New Brunswick who was in the car behind me on the way in!  We Maritimers from the three hour ahead Atlantic Time Zone know there is something about being well ahead of others.  

On the drive out it was showering off and on yet it stopped when I arrived at The Pond.  It was dull, grey, overcast yet atmospheric and moody.  My mind has been wondering to atmospheric and moody lately yet in a good way and it brings a smile to my face.  More about that in weeks to come.

When some clouds cleared, Forgetmenot Pond offered up that view that I love so much!

snow up there on Powderface Ridge

the low clouds danced

We worked our way to where I sometimes see the Mustangs.  

Upon arrival this is what we saw!

Then we saw her! She is expecting and is due any day now!

Then these two came along!

Another followed them!

But, no babies!  Although.....

.....there could be one in ten months!

When all the morning routine was accomplished, then came time to rest!

The birds were plentiful and singing such sweet songs! There were more than I ever saw in this area.  It definitely helped that the PEIslander is a birder and knows her birds!  A few times it was sensory overload for me trying to listen to all the songs and admire the scenery at the same time.  I captured lots of bird photos but the majority of them, this time around, were not the best.  I like lots of good lighting and that was not the name of the game this morning. 

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Common Yellowthroat

Solitary Sandpipers

Spotted Sandpiper

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

White-crowned Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

bath time in Forgetmenot Pond

When I saw the weather that was forecasted for this morning, I debated whether to head out this way, I am so glad I did.  Forgetmenot was everything I remembered it to be and it turned out being everything I hoped it would be and more, oh except for no baby Mustangs, at least not today!