Gannets at Bonaventure Island, Quebec

When we were at Perce, Quebec in August, we took a boat ride to Bonaventure Island and walked across the island to where the gannets nest. I could have spent all day there, but was glad to be there for the short time we managed. It's really something to see so many birds in one place at one time, especially when it looks like confusion with birds flying around. It's hard to imagine how they find their mates when they come flying in.

We watched them diving for fish. I wasn't able to get a picture of this ... just the splash after one did it. They cruise above the water, and when they see a fish, they dive straight down. They partially fold their wings as they go into the water. Their wingspan can be up to 2 metres across.

We saw mates rubbing their heads and beaks together. Some people call this dueling or fencing. It's very interesting to watch and is a bonding ceremony, done especially when a mate returns to the nest.

We also saw some young birds. They look big, but won't be ready to fly until September. 

I read where someone commented about how difficult it was to take a picture of one or two birds and have them show up so that you know which bird is the subject of your picture. I believe using a wide open aperture (small number) helps to do this the best, but I know that I also found this difficult. This was a new experience for me - to photograph birds that are in such big flocks.

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns,

 and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.

 Are you not much more valuable than they? 

Matthew 6:26