1145 Sunday, July 3
It is a holiday weekend here for Canada Day; back home in the United States it is also a holiday weekend for Independence Day. I am doing my best to take in the celebrations on both ends and not worry about the work that will resume on my engine come tomorrow.
One of the things that draws me to this part of the word is the shore and seabird life. The photo above is an adult common tern perched upon a wharf cleat in the nearby fishing outport of Quidi Vidi. Common Terns and Arctic Terns both frequent these waters. I can tell this one is a Common Tern because of the black tip on the beak in this season. The Arctic Tern has an all red, shorter, stockier beak. Both of these birds have amazingly long migration routes. This bird likely spends the winter down in Chile or Argentina, thousands of miles from here. Each spring they return to feed in the rich waters around Newfoundland and Labrador. They have a wonderful ability to hover over the water as they look for their prey of small fish.
Rain storms last night have given way to partial sunshine and decently warm temperatures for today. I continue doing small projects on the boat which I didn't have time to undertake before we sailed. So, in that sense, I am making use of some of this time. I should have more engine news tomorrow, after this extended holiday weekend. I wish you all a Happy 4th or a Happy Canada Day.
Bill
