Commitment
Commitment
Bonavista Peninsula, Newfoundland
The puffin’s scientific name Fratercula, means “little brother,” a reference to its feather arrangement and colours resembling a monks’ robe. To the less scientific, it is also known as the “clown of the sea,” given the bright colour of its beak, which adds to its character. People who know the bird well will even tell you it has a good sense of humour! Speaking of humour, Newfoundlanders have nicknamed them “bricks with wings” due to their distinct flying style. Then, there’s also a spiritual side to this little bird – gifted, they say, with a rare ability to travel through difficult situations with grace and strength. On this particular morning, I had the great pleasure of watching the antics of these diminutive seabird clowns. Their nesting bowl is made in a burrow in the ground filled with vegetation and feathers. They only lay one egg, and both mom and dad commit equally to the well-being of their little puffling. On this day, they were presenting wild irises to each other as gifts, perhaps attracted by not only the flower’s colour, but also its taste and smell. However you wish to describe them, these monks/clowns/bricks have a distinct charm and were a delight to watch.
