FRIDAY 22 July
(Edited Sunday, July 24, to change “Elizabethown” to “Englishtown”)
Our meals today consisted of: fresh fruit with yogurt for breakfast; mayo style potato salad for lunch (Linda), and; potato pancakes with sour cream for dinner (Nancy). Both potato dishes were made with a medley of the PEI potatoes we bought at the Masstown Market a few days ago, and they were both very good.
Getting to see Atlantic Puffins has been near the top of Linda’s list of experiences she wanted to take away from this trip, and pretty high on my list as well as Paul and Nancy’s. Our main activity today was Donelda’s Puffin Tour boat to Bird Island. Last night, Paul reserved four seats for the 10 AM sailing. We left at 9 AM for the 20-minute drive to Englishtown, just to make sure we were not late. The boat was a converted fishing boat moored at a well-used dock along with several actual fishing boats. The ticket office was a shack. The bathroom was a port-a-potty. Definitely not an upscale operation. A hand written sign indicated that the boat did NOT have a toilet. The total sailing time was 2.5 hours, so I elected to stay behind. I returned to camp after the boat departed, and came back in time for its return.
In addition to Atlantic Puffins, they saw several other bird species, including numerous Bald Eagles, and Grey Seals. The seven photos of Bird Island were taken by Linda using a Google Pixel 6. There are a few photos from before and after the trip. Before photos taken with a Sony alpha 99. After photos taken with a Google Pixel 6 Pro. The last three photos are at the North Sydney / Cabot Trail KOA.
The Englsihtown free Ferry. This will be our shortcut to the Cabot Trail.
Morning overcast and fog from the dock at Donelda’s Bird Island Puffin Tours.
Waiting to board the Puffin Tours boat. It’s a long step down. The tide must have been part way out.
Boarding the Puffin Tours boat. Big steps and no handholds.
A Bald Eagle with a fish (that the boat threw out). The Eagles come when they see the boat. (Photo by Linda.)
A Grey Seal watching the boat. (Photo by Linda.)
Two Grey Seals keeping a watchful eye on the passing boat. (Photo by Linda.)
Atlantic Puffins on Bird Island, Nova Scotia. (Photo by Linda.)
Two Bald Eagles on Bird Island. (Photo by LInda.)
Bald Eagle on a cliff at Bird Island. (Photo by Linda.)
Can you spot the Atlantic Puffins? (Photo by Linda.)
Another misty shot from Donelda’s dock while waiting for the boat to return.
The three who saw Puffins returned from their cruise to Bird Island.
The Seal Islands and eponymously named bridge.
Province & Territory flags at the entrance to the North Sydney / Cabot Trail KOA. The granite rock face was blasted in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s to get the material needed for the approach to the Seal Island Bridge. The face is very high.
A selfie at the North Sydney / Cabot Trail KOA with the Seal Islands Bridge in the background. Just because.
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