Farewell to Newfoundland

Black Spruce Cones

After almost three weeks in Newfoundland, we are back in the Codroy Valley waiting for clear, calm weather to take the ferry back to Nova Scotia.  It has been an amazing visit, and we have enjoyed, the scenic highways (except for the potholes),  the moose & caribou, all the birds unique to this land and the very friendly people.

Bald Eagle being chased by Great Black-backed Gull

White-throated Sparrow

Snowshoe Hare - lovin' those Spring plants

Blackpoll Warbler

Pine Siskin

Cape May Warbler

Wilson's Warbler

Arches Provincial Park along the northwest coast

Boardwalk along the Torrent River

American Black Duck family in the back waters of the river

Torrent River Falls with salmon fish ladder

Torrent River Salmon Interpretive Center

Iceland Gull squawking at us

Ice Castle - over 100 feet above the water and much more below

Icebergs of every shape and size

This mammoth iceberg was near L'Anse aux Meadows - snow covered Labrador in the distance

This must be a spaceship!

Common Eiders love the icy waters

Common Eiders are not that common,  a rare treat for us

Common Eider drake is displaying for the hens 

One hen thinks he's okay!

At the northern most point of Newfoundland is the Viking Historical Site
This represents Leif Erickson's landing 1,000 years ago

White-crowned Sparrow on the highlands

Fox Sparrow has great camouflage 

Icebergs too numerous to count

Two moose blocking our way south

Cape Onion - Days earlier a Polar Bear was seen in this area, our hunt for the bear was futile as he probably swam back to Labrador

Bird's Eye Primrose 

Bull Caribou starting to shed his winter white coat

Yellow-bellied Flycatcher

Bay-breasted Warbler

We are looking forward to being somewhere where we don't need 5 layers of clothes and using the heat.  So farewell to Newfoundland.

Love & Prayers,
Ty & Ida Baumann

The three Beavers are busy working on their lodge

Seabirds Plus of Newfoundland

Curious Gray Jay

Hi from Newfoundland!  Our main bird targets for this providence are the Sea Birds that come each summer to nest on the islands.  But in between we add other birds, flowers, and scenery.    In the last week, we visited the sea bird colonies of Cape St. Mary's, Witless Bay and Bonavista Peninsula.

Witless Bay Ecological Preserve - Puffins from Celtic Rendezvous RV Park

Rendezvous with a Moose at Tors Cove

Northern Waterthrush

N. Gannets collecting nesting material

When we arrived at Cape St. Mary's it was raining hard,  The rain gave way to fog and we were able to see some close N. Gannets collecting nesting material.    The Rangers at the Visitor Center said the weather was to clear and offered to let us stay overnight at the preserve.  The next morning was clear and cold,  and we were ready for the trek to Bird Island.

The high cliffs along the ocean are nesting areas for 70,000 + sea birds

Ida, all bundled up,  Visitors Center on left, our RV on the right

Visitors Center in the background, birds layered on the 300 foot cliffs

Bird Island, nesting area of N. Gannets

Ty ready to capture every behavior

N. Gannet nesting territory is very small but they defend it well, lots of talking going on

This pair is "fencing", pair bonding

Black-legged Kittiwakes get the lower, smaller ledges 

Common Murres, Bridled (eye spectacles) on Atlantic sub-species

Thick-billed Murre

Boreal Chickadee in wind-blown shrubs

Wilson's Warbler

Channel to the sea on the Cape

Ruffed Grouse Chick near Bellevue Beach

Multi-colored lichens on the many rocks in the highlands

Elliston Islands that hold thousands of seabirds including the colorful Puffins

Atlantic Puffins near their nesting burrows, some can be 6 feet underground

A little talking going on here

Is it time to go fishing?

Bonded pair

Taking off down the cliff to the cold Atlantic

This one came in close for his picture

Thousands of birds bounce around on the waves

Black Guillemot, with his bright red legs

Blackpoll Warbler

This Iceberg was by Bonavista Lighthouse, estimated at 500 feet long,  100 feet above the water and 270 feet below.  It dwarfs the tour boat circling the berg.  These gigantic bergs come from Greenland carried south on the Labrador Current.

This melted Iceberg was at King's Cove, very large

Red Fox by Elliston

We are now exploring Twillingate and then moving back west and north to the Viking area. 

Time to run!!
Love & Prayers,
Ty & Ida Baumann