Elliston, Newfoundland & Labrador

This summer, I was blessed to have travelled to Newfoundland & Labrador. One of the destinations we chose to visit was “Elliston” located in the northern part of Bonavista Peninsula (Trinity Bay). Known as the “Root Cellar” capital of the world, it is also very famous for its “Puffins”.

In the tiny town of Elliston is a small area known as the “Elliston Puffin Viewing Site” where these adorable small sea birds return to land in May and stay until approximately August – September. We visited the end of June and the timing was perfect as the Puffins were just starting to build their nests. At this time of year, there are hundreds of Puffins on “bird rock” which can be viewed from the mainland viewing site. However, the main attraction (and what people wait and wish for) is when the puffins fly over and land on the mainland. There is a rope barrier to keep humans toppling over the cliff side (and to give the puffins some breathing room), but the Puffins quite often will ignore the barrier and land a mere feet away from the curious and patiently waiting humans!

While planning our first trip to Newfoundland & Labrador, Elliston was one of the top 3 destinations on our “to experience” list. We travelled there specifically to see the magnificent Puffin colony and it was there that magic was felt with every fibre of my being.

One moment stood out to me the most and it is the story of a “white feather”.

Through my lens, I observed an Atlantic Puffin gently pick up a white feather with his large ornate and bright-coloured bill.

Just after 6:00 AM, the soft morning light touched the Puffin’s feathers and dimmed the background into hues of blue from the sea & sky, and white from the rock behind him.

The feather curled unceremoniously into the background as the Puffin held the top edge of the white lace. There was silence around him, yet in the background the mewing of other Puffins and calls from the gulls could be heard in the distance.

As I pressed the shutter to capture this tender moment, I remembered my late Father who loved the outdoors and the animals & birds. If this photo could talk, I wonder if the puffin would relay a message from and to, my Father in Heaven. How was he doing? How I was doing! How we missed each other, and how every time I see a white feather, I think of him. My father always supported my photography endeavour since I was a very young child. So for me to capture a one in a million shot with such a significant meaning for me, was one of my most satisfying and emotional captures of my photography journey.

I will forever remember this moment in Elliston, Newfoundland & Labrador, Canada. As for all the objects the Puffin could have picked up that morning, just a few mere feet from where I sat; it was a white feather, of all things great and small.

Heather

The white feather, entitled “Singularity“, is available for sale from my web site: Heather Bee Photography (free shipping to USA and Canada).

Post note:
What does a white feather symbolize to you?
Share your experiences, stories, and / or your thoughts in the comments below.