Gannets - Cape St. Mary's Newfoundland (5 images)

Cape St. Mary's in Newfoundland is an provincial ecological reserve for seabirds, one of six in the province. Nearly 30,000 nesting pairs of kittiwakes, murres, razorbill auks and northern gannets nest there each summer. A 100 metre (~300 feet) seastack ("Bird Rock") stands a short distance from the edge of a narrow point on the mainland cliff. It's here where a large number of gannets make their nests.

The day my daughter and I visited it in July the fog was thick enough to cut with a knife.

Bird Rock is 1.4 Km (nearly a mile) from the interpretive centre. Access is by a clearly marked yet uneven trail. Imagine walking through fog for 20-25 minutes and not seeing much more than the trail ahead of you and a few returning visitors. At the same time your hear the constant call of thousands of seabirds. Suddenly you arrive at the cliff edge. Even through the fog it was an impressive sight. Birds are leaving and returning leave the colony constantly, appearing and disappearing in the fog.

All photos full frame except number 5 (~70% crop). For the scenic photos I ran a Graduated ND adjustment in CS4 to reduce the glare of the fog.

1. Bird Rock

Great shots Stephen...I imagine that's pretty amazing to see in person.

What a spectacular scene Stephen... an interesting sight for any birder; I love the beauty of these birds.

db

that's an intresting place thanks for sharing. looks like a great place for shooting birds

That's an amazing place Stephen, looks so rugged, wild and dangerous. Very nice images!

Gorgeous!!

Oh wow, Stephen, what an awesome place! Going there would be like a dream come true for me, something that will never happen, so thanks very much for sharing these. I also love that last shot. It's beautiful, fog and all.

Great stuff, Stephen. Can you believe I passed on the opportunity to go there when we were in Newfoundland (2006)? We were traveling with friends who didn't want to take the time for it. I regret staying with them.

Shar824 wrote in post #10711753
Great shots Stephen...I imagine that's pretty amazing to see in person.

It was incredible Sharon. Thanks.

dbriz wrote in post #10711901
What a spectacular scene Stephen... an interesting sight for any birder; I love the beauty of these birds.

db

Thanks Dave. Yes gannets are great. I've seen and photographed them in England (Bempton Cliffs, Yorshire), Nova Scotia and now Newfoudnland.

m52 wrote in post #10712044
that's an intresting place thanks for sharing. looks like a great place for shooting birds

Thanks for taking the time to comment.

ajosteve wrote in post #10712351
That's an amazing place Stephen, looks so rugged, wild and dangerous. Very nice images!

Thanks Steve. I definitely want to go back when there's less fog. Apparently farther along the cliffs where the gannets next on the mainland sides you can get closer to them.

jgrussell wrote in post #10712458
Gorgeous!!

Thanks Judy.

Levina de Ruijter wrote in post #10713552
Oh wow, Stephen, what an awesome place! Going there would be like a dream come true for me, something that will never happen, so thanks very much for sharing these. I also love that last shot. It's beautiful, fog and all.

Thanks Levina. Never say never!

sparker1 wrote in post #10713581
Great stuff, Stephen. Can you believe I passed on the opportunity to go there when we were in Newfoundland (2006)? We were traveling with friends who didn't want to take the time for it. I regret staying with them.

Thanks Stan. Don't feel too bad. I lived in St. John's for 3 years while I did my M. Sc. and never visited it then. Dooh!!!