Sparky's Epic Adventure Across North America (Puffins at Bonavista Newfoundland)

The farthest island is the nesting site

July 23rd: At around ten in the morning the fog lifted and we started out on a quest to photograph the cute and comical provincial bird of Newfoundland - the Atlantic Puffin. 

Nearby Elliston is listed as the best place to get close enough for photographs, so that's where I was headed. 

Except, they don't allow dogs! Even though the seabird sanctuary is a separate island, adjacent to the community of Elliston, dog are not allowed anywhere near the site. 

Elliston, gift store specializing in puffin items

Disappointed, I returned to the car. I had intended to drop Sparky back at our cottage in nearby Little Catalina, but instead turned towards Bonavista. I could always come back the next day on my own. 

Elliston also Root Cellar Capital of World

So, a bit of history about Bonavista from Wikipedia. It is believed to have been settled 5000 years before by the ancestors of the Beothuk indigenous group. 

The first recorded European contact was John Cabot (Giovanni Caboto), a freelance Italian explorer, contracted by England's Henry VII to find new lands, and a sea route to the Orient. Cabot set sail from Bristol, England in his ship the Matthew in 1497. 

When Cabot first saw land he reputedly said "O Buon Vista" ("Oh, Happy Sight!") giving rise to the name of the town and nearby Cape Bonavista. 

Functioning lighthouse at Bonavista NL

Bonavista became one of the most important towns in Newfoundland due to its proximity to the rich fishing and sealing grounds. The Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, French and English fished off Cape Bonavista during the 16th century, but the Spanish and Portuguese presence soon declined, leaving the French and English as the dominant powers. 

Bonavista Newfoundland

As a result of European encroachment, slaughter, and diseases to which they had no natural resistance, the Beothuk's numbers diminished rapidly following contact. Some internet sources say the Beothuk have been completely wiped out, others note a few remaining people who identify as descendants of the Beothuk. Either way the culture has been decimated.

Now, the main industry is tourism. Last year Bonavista hosted nearly a hundred thousand tourists enjoying a glimpse of the puffins, the wild scenery, whales, icebergs, and the quaint villages of the Bonavista Peninsula.

Thousands of puffins - I needed a better lens

Cape Bonavista still has a fully operational lighthouse and the original seal oil fueled light apparatus that was used in the 1800s can be seen.

At the base of the lighthouse I had a great view of the Cape Bonavista puffin colony, and I was able to take a snap a few photos. Not great photos because of the distance, but a reminder of my first sighting of the industrious and charming puffins. If you are headed to Newfoundland, and interested in the puffins - buy a decent camera and a good telephoto lens! I wish I had upgraded.

Atlantic Puffins! So cute.

Cheers Lynda and Sir Fuzz-butt