Atlantic Puffin Fratercula arctica
Yesterday after we boarded the high-speed catamaran to embark on the trip, the naturalist and then the captain both warned us that they planned to do everything they could to assure we saw whales, and that might include extending the planned 3 12-4hour trip as long as 6+ hours, and that if anyone could not be out that long they should get off the boat now. This proved to be the case, as only one Minke Whale was seen at the usual stop, and we extended the trip into Canadian waters 45+ miles from Bar Harbor, and we got back at 6 PM, just 6 hours after leaving at noon. Shortly after leaving port we started to see Common Eider, mostly flying males, as the females were on nests, the males having done their job and leaving the females to tend to the nest and young.
Common Eider Somateria mollissima There are the largest of the eider family of sea ducks, and the largest duck in Europe, and in the Americas only the Muscovy Duck is larger. Famous for their down, the females line their nests with down pulled from their breasts, and more in the past than now were used for pillows, quilts and parkas. There are still some commercial down farms in Iceland.
Flock of alcids, mostly Razorbills with one Atlantic Puffin
We headed straight for Petit Manan Island, a breeding island for alcids and terns, where the “Puffin” part of the trip was featured. It proved up to its billing, with good numbers of Atlantic Puffins, Razorbills, at least 2 Murre, scattered Black Guillemots and large flocks of terns over the island. Photos were many, though the light made good shots tough. Here are a few.
Razorbill Alca torda These are a large black-and white alcid, with a very thick bill and a white line throught the bill.
Terns swarming over the nesting island, a mix of Common, Roseate, and likely Arctic Terns, though I cannot ID them from this photo. The fellow in the sombrero is a naturalist. He wears the sombrero to keep from getting hurt by attacking terns. He found it works, and does not hurt the terns like a workman's hard hat. Cool discovery!
From here we headed out whale watching. I was fortunate to find a birding club trip from Texas on the bow, and together we looked for pelagic birds. By far the most numerous species was Great Shearwater. These are summer visitors here, nesting on a few islands in the South Atlantic. Also present in good numbers were Wilson’s Storm Petrel, a smaller but good number of Leach’s Storm-petrel, a few Sooty Shearwatger, Northern Fulmar, and Northern Gannets.
Great Shearwater Ardenna gravis
Great Shearwater taking flight.
Wilson’s Storm-petrel * Oceanites oceanicus*
Great Shearwater
Northen Gannet Morus bassanus badly backlit unfortunatelly. This was one of the few adults we saw, most were browner immatures.
After missing big whales in U.S. waters we headed north to Canadian Waters for a Humpback Whale show. We had up to 10 Humpbacks very near the boat, feeding, and seeming to play. We got looks at them swimming, blowing, and good looks at tail flukes and flipper slapping. We stayed with them for at least an hour, and storm petrels entertained the birders while we were there.
Humpback Whales Megaptera novaeangliae lying on their sides slapping their big white pectoral fins on the water.
Humpback tail shot
Another individuals tail.
A little Minke Whale playing with the Humbpacks. This species, per our naturalist, was considered too small to be of great commercial value, and has become very numerous, expanding to fill the void left by depleted numbers of larger baleen whales.
After a long, and cold ride back to port, we all felt satisfied with our looks at both whales and the common seabirds.
Until next time, good birding. Steem on.
If you enjoy birds and birding consider using #birding on your related posts, as it will help build a birding community on steemit. I’m working to support other birders with upvotes and resteems, and hope to do more soon.
I always admired by the beaks of Puffins which are different from other birds. Great work.
I learned from the naturalist on the trip that Atlantic Puffins have a row of tiny teeth inside their mouth, so that they can carry a large number of tiny fish back to their tunnel to feed their young. I also learned that due to global warming, different types of fish have been coming to the waters off the Gulf of Maine where these birds are nesting, and although they look like great food to the adults, some species are just barely too big for the young to swallow, and some chicks are starving. One more, less well known maybe, effect of climate change.
Wow, that must be amazing to be on that kind of trip!. We only have the north-sea over here, not much whales there :)
Isn't it scary when you encounter a whale?
We were on a large boat, so it's not scary at all, just really awesome.
We were on a large boat, so it's not scary at all, just really awesome.
Bird watching can be so relaxing. I also love to just sit and listen to all the different songs they sing.
great photo reportage from a nice trip.
que bellas fotografias no me canso de decir a traves de steemit puedo conocer el mundo
Mucho gracias.
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Very interesting footage of cool pictures
very interesting to read I recommend to everyone
Thanks. I'm having fun posting to Steemit.
Bird watching can be so relaxing. I also love to just sit and listen to all the different songs they sing.
And how i miss the humback whales⛰🐳 . Back home in Hawaii when it was season u could swim underwater and hear their songs as well.
Looks like fun trip. You might enjoy birding in Newfoundland too. I understand it has become a major birdwatching destination.
I would have stepped off that boat the second they started talking about prolonging the trip for whale watching! LOL