THE seabird rock of Newfoundland

I can’t believe my eyes or my ears. In front, around and above me are thousands of Northern Gannets. What an incredible sight!

Day 6 of my solo bike trip across Canada.

To think I was reluctant to make the 100 km detour (one way) to visit the Cape St Mary Ecological Reserve. However, as soon as I saw these immense cliffs on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, my doubts vanished. A kilometre away, I can see thousands of tiny white dots. Some dance in the sky, others move to the rhythm of the waves, while the majority seem motionless on an impressive rounded rock.

Cape St Mary Ecological Reserve is the most accessible seabird colony in North America. And after only a few minutes on foot, I feel more and more the atmosphere of this end-of-the-world setting. With the help of my camera, I can now distinguish the magnificent blue eyes of Northern Gannets gracefully in the air. A little more and I’m there…

I don’t know where to look, it’s so busy here! Razorbills, guillemots, kittiwakes, cormorants and, of course, Northern Gannets squawking at regular intervals. In contrast, they take off and land at any moment. They twirl in the air or glide. They also float, but dive to feed. Do they ever rest?

Indeed, the sunset approaches, and I plan to get some rest. As I take one last picture, I leave this amazing place, happy to have chosen Newfoundland as the starting point for my coast-to-coast cycling adventure.

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