Today I returned to Witless Bay where I visited with Carl and Greg before they headed for home. I was headed there in hopes of seeing more puffins, and the Bay did not disappoint. The birds have an almost comical look about them with large beaks and quizzical eyes. We have no penguins in North America; but, these bords are one of several that take their place. When they fly it is a flurry of rapid wingbeats and feet strutting quickly across the water's surface. In flight they are far from the graceful elegance of gannets of shearwaters. However, they make up for their flying with their swimming. These birds do their best flying underwater, darting and curving as they chase small fish such as capelin. Sometimes they come to the surface with three or four held sideways in their beak, leaving one to wonder how they can hold on to the first one while they get the others. They are one of the masters of the underwater world where they catch their prey.

Puffins are known for their brightly colored beaks and bright reddish orange feet (which you can just make out in the photo.) The beaks and the feet both fade to a more muddy color in the winter. But, now, in summer breeding season they are dazzlingly bright. The general theory is that the bright colors have something to do with attracting a mate. For us, it simply means a stunning bird. Just recently they also learned that puffin beaks glow under black light like those posters my brother and I had as kids - nobody knows just why this unusual trait occurs.

If you are curious, Witless Bay takes it name from a British Captain Wittle who settled here with his family long ago. It became known as Wittle's Bay. After the Captain passed away and the family left, it became known as Wittleless Bay which was later shortened to Witless Bay. There is a story behind the name of every town in Newfoundland.

You did not hear from me yesterday. You may not have heard; but, Rogers Communications, the biggest Internet and communications provider in Canada, had major outages yesterday, impacting most of the country. 911, debit cards, Internet services and more were impacted. Anyway, I am back with you today.

Some of you may know that the town of St. John's is also known for something colorful. Row houses in the central downtown area are generally painted in bright, cheery colors. They are locally known as "Jellybean Row Houses." The tradition started with fisherman and sailors who wanted to be able to spot their home quickly when returning from sea, leading to a never ending array of colors that continues today. One area in particular is fondly known as Jellybean Row. It does make for a bright and cheery city.

Jesse, my mechanic, stopped by today (Sunday evening) on his way to his mother's birthday party. He just wanted to see how I was doing and to let me know he would be heading to the machine shop that has Tazzarin's engine in the morning to try and get an update. Only in Newfoundland would a mechanic stop by on Sunday evening to see how you were doing. He introduced me to his dad as well. I do believe he is making every effort to get me back out on the water. Fingers crossed.

Bill

Tazzarin's Whale & Iceberg logo design by Emily Dove