We've had a lovely day today - a boat trip to some of the small outer islands. We got off at one which is usually unavailable to visitors. It's owned by Bowdoin College and is a research station. It is one of the few (or maybe the only) nesting site of Leach's Storm-Petrels. (Doesn't that sound knowledgeable???) But there are some 30,000 - 40,000 nesting burrows for these birds on this little island. There are only two caretakers there now, and they let the folks who run this Elderhostel come ashore a couple of times a year. The birders were thrilled, and John and I and some others just enjoyed the boat ride and the walking through the woods. The guides showed us a burrow site, reached in and brought out a 5-week-old baby. The parents were off foraging for food, and wouldn't be back to the next until dark. The baby was used to being handled, so wasn't agitated. It was just starting to get some feathers, but was mostly covered with incredibly soft, dark-colored down. That was a treat - even for us.
We stopped at the Grand Manan Museum on the way back and had a nice walk through some of the history here. I also found a warm toboggan hat at a "dollar" store for $3.00, so my ears will be happier on our longer boat trip tomorrow.
Another great meal (pan-fried haddock), then a quick bus ride out to the northern-most point of the island to see the sunset. There was some nice light, but mostly there was a cloud-bank along the western horizon, so not much great color.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment