Bonaventure Island is known for its population of Northern Gannets. We stayed at a wonderful B&B, La Maison Rehel in Perce, Quebec and it was an easy walk to the wharf to catch the daily ferry to the island. After a walk across the island you experience an amazing gannet colony. Boardwalks and a tower enable you to get some very unique views of these magnificent birds.

Ile aux Perroquets is an amazing place to visit. Although day trips are available, the best experience is if you can stay on this tiny island. We were able to stay on the island and enjoy the quiet beauty and amazing bird life on this island. This island uses solar power, composting toilets, and a desalinization plant to be completely self sufficient. The shores abound with Altantic Puffins, Common Razorbills, Black Guillemots, Common Eiders, and other birds. On the island Savanah Sparrows are common with some other species as well. To experience this island by staying on the island is a truly memorable experience.

Johnson’s Mills, NB, Canada provides and amazing spectacle at the right time of year. It is on the Ramsar list of Wetlands of International Importance. Having visited several Ramsar sites in Uruguay I was anxious to visit this location, much closer to home. At the right time of year and with the correct tide, you can see thousands of semipalmated sandpipers on the shore and it is an unforgettable experience. A difficult photographic situation but one not to be missed. The birds are feeding to build up reserves to continue their migration, any disturbance causes large numbers to take flight and expend valuable energy. There are no close up photos of individuals because I did not want to take a chance of disturbing the birds. The birds would take flight when a peregrine falcon flew over.

Machias Seal Island can be visited by boat from both the U.S. and Canada. We visited from Canada’s Grand Manan Island. Although very limited in your time on the island and confined to a small blind, some good photos are possible if the weather and birds cooperate.