Bonavista, Newfoundland – Nature on display

There I stood at the edge of the cliff, waves crashing against the rocks that rose from the ocean like that of a castles impenetrable walls. This is all that lie between me and hundreds of curious Puffins that nest on the rugged sea stacks at the headland of Cape Bonavista.

It was grey day, the rain had just settled and all were hoping for the sun to peek through the cloud cover. Don’t count on this happening as we are in Newfoundland and the weather here is as unpredictable as anywhere I have ever traveled to.

Puffins – Home on their sea stack.

I was taking this opportunity to capture the daily lives of the elegant little Puffins, known as the “Clowns of the Sea”. They are truly amazing to watch, as they move like Penguins, bobbling and bouncing around the cliffs with their colorful beaks and even brighter personalities.

Just then the mood of this already magic place began to change, and quickly. The ocean below became a torrent of sea foam and fish parts. This was due part to the mighty Humpbacks Whales who began chasing the Caplin into the shore to score an easy meal. Locals refer to this as “rolling of the Caplin”, as hundreds of thousands of these fish swim together trying to escape being gobbled up causing the sea to roll.

The Humpbacks rolling amongst the surf.

A pair of Humpbacks in search of a meal.

The smell of fish guts filled the air as dozens of Humpbacks shot water from their spouts, rolling amongst the chaos, slapping their tales and fins in the water. The Caplin stood no chance, trying desperately to escape their fate while the Puffins began flying to the waters below for a share of the feeding frenzy.

Puffins fill the air – diving down to waters below to join the feeding frenzy.

Just when I thought things couldn’t get any better, the clouds parted and the sun cast a rainbow across the Atlantic.

“I have never seen it quite this good”

“Excuse me” I reply.

The man introduced himself as Kenneth Reichmann. A local of the area, originally of Jamaican decent.

“Been here for some 30 odd years and never seen them this good,”

referring to the spectacle before us. We chatted for some time and in mid conversation he insisted I take a gift home with me. The man ran over to his car near the lighthouse and returned with a painted flat stone which read “Namaste” with an interesting figure on it.

Kenneth began to tell me that he enjoys painting these rocks found along the coast of Newfoundland and give them as gifts to people he meets along his travels. He proceeded to recommend a book I might enjoy reading – The Master Key System by: Charles F Haanel.

And just as quickly as it all started it came to an end. Kenneth had disappeared, the whales had moved on and the Puffins returned to the sea stack and into their burrows.

The excitement of the ordeal may have only lasted a short time but the high that I felt from the experience lasted for long after my trip to Cape Bonavista.

The rugged coastline of Bonavista.