Tags
birds, Gaspesie, Parc de l'Ile-Bonaventure-et-du-Rocher-Perce, photography, photos, Québec, travel
Le clou de notre voyage en Gaspésie fut certainement le temps que nous avons passé à observer la colonie de Fous de Bassan qui peuple l’Île Bonaventure. C’est une des plus grandes colonies accessibles au monde. Il y a près de 200,000 oiseaux qui viennent nicher à tous les ans sur cette île. A l’automne, ces fous partiront vers les cieux plus cléments du Golfe du Mexique (les chanceux!).
Après avoir parcouru le Sentier des Mousses, nous avons atteint la colonie qui est en plusieurs sections le long du littoral ouest de l’île. On les entend et on les sent avant même d’arriver. Quel beau spectacle quand on débouche du sentier! Ces oiseaux ne sont pas nerveux et il est permis de s’approcher de la colonie. Nous y avons passé plus de 2 heures à prendre des photos mais aussi à simplement observer leurs rituels, assis dans la pelouse.
The highlight of our trip to the Gaspe Peninsula was certainly the time we spent observing the colony of Northern Gannets found on Bonaventure Island. It is one of the largest accessible colonies in the world. There are nearly 200,000 birds that come to nest every year on this island. In the fall, the Northern Gannets will go to the warmer climes of the Gulf of Mexico (the lucky ones!).
After walking the “Sentier des Mousses”, we reached the colony which is in several sections along the west coast of the island. You hear and we smell them before you even arrive. What a beautiful sight when we exit the trail! These birds aren’t nervous and it is allowed to approach the colony. We spent more than 2 hours taking pictures but also just observing their rituals, sitting on the grass.
Fous de Bassan / Northern Gannet
[Auteur/Author: Suzanne & Pierre]
Les voyages de Suzanne & Pierre 
I am not a bird lover but these photos could make me one! My absolute favourite in this series is the second one of the bird in flight with wings out straight. Next is the one of the two birds “kissing” their beaks are touching.
Thanks Jacqui. These birds were very photogenic and Pierre was quite pleased with the birds in flight and I am quite pleased with one with the beaks touching. It was fascinating to observe these birds.
On ne se lasse pas de cette série magnifique, le fou de Bassan est un oiseau vraiment très très beau et attachant. J’ai pu en voir des colonies aussi en Ecosse, ce sont des oiseaux très photogéniques. Merci
Merci Marie. Ils sont effectivement très beaux et nous avons adoré les observer…
What fascinating creatures they are with their blue-rimmed eyes and graphic colouring. Those photos are stunning and I can imagine how captivating it was. I would almost be nervous though, with so many of them in front of me, even knowing they are friendly. Bravo!
Thanks Mel. They are beautiful birds and it was quite safe as they aren’t aggressive. It was fascinating to watch all of their rituals. Glad you enjoyed the photos.
Wow! What a sight, Suzanne and Pierre. Gorgeous birds and amazing to see them in such a huge flock. Great photos.
Thanks Jane. It was indeed a very impressive colony and these birds were fascinating. Glad you enjoyed the pics.
Great shots!
Thanks Anabel. Glad you enjoyed this series.
Magnifique !
De quoi faire pâlir ceux du Bassin d’Arcachon !
Merci Marion. Cette colonie de Fous de Bassan est spectaculaire. Nous avons eu beaucoup de plaisir à l’observer. Bien contente que ces photos aient su vous plaire.
Oh Suzanne & Pierre, these are spectacular captures, every one of them!!! ❤ When I saw the last one for the perspective of the colony on the beach, my mouth dropped in awe…..WOW! Amazing to be able to sit near them and watch their rituals for hours, I envy you both. These birds are so beautiful, we get lucky with them passing down through our Chesapeake Bay mid-Atlantic fly-way from Canada during migration, I’ve even gotten lucky to capture a few in flight, but sadly, only from a distance. I was excited to see this post and enjoyed it very much!! 😊
Thanks Donna. You make us blush with your very kind words as your own pictures of birds are always amazing. It was quite easy to get good shots as we were able to come quite close to the colony which isn’t frequent with other species of bird. These birds are indeed very beautiful and they have so many different rituals that the park rangers explained to us. It was fascinating to observe them. Glad you enjoyed this series.
Wonderful photos! What an amazing opportunity to observe and photograph!
Thanks for your note. We thoroughly enjoyed our time with these birds. They were fascinating.
Ooo, just marvellous! You are right, they don’t look nervous at all but seem to be living their lives most happily. What an occasion!
Thanks for your note. It was indeed fascinating and we truly enjoyed our time with these beautiful birds. Glad you enjoyed the moment as well.