The anticipation of visiting this unique place quickly dissipates any concerns you had about actually making it there without having to swim.

This particular landing was for the adventurous and determined. The boat was stabilized and wedged into a rocky cove where we unloaded onto some rocky steps. However, we were not at the path to the puffins yet. Between the shore and the walkway lies approximately 75 yards of wet, rockweed (seaweed) covered rocks. Another test of your determination to see these funny little birds.

The rockweed was particularly challenging, slippery as ice and on uneven surfaces, you watched your step very carefully. If you did slip, most likely all you received was a pair of wet shoes and pants. Reaching the walkway certainly gave you a feeling of accomplishment and appreciative of a pair of non-slip shoes.

Once on the walkway, you were met by one of the naturalists stationed on the island for bird study. The island and lighthouse are maintained by Canadian wildlife services, though the island itself seems to be in a dispute over who actually owns it. After a short briefing about what lies ahead, he handed you a stick, with instruction it was for the terns.

Arctic Terns are fiercely territorial around their nesting grounds, and there are hundreds of them at this landing site at Machias. The stick is to hold along side your head up in the air. The terns will typically attack the highest point, therefore attacking the stick instead of your head. Interesting! Fortunately the terns tried to "shoo" us vocally rather than physically.

We were to take a path to the lighthouse, away from the nesting area so more discussion could take place about procedures on viewing the puffins, as well as minimizing disturbance to the terns. The path was carefully plotted through a portion of the nesting area, and you had to be just as concerned about your footing here as on the rockweed. Small nest sites and chicks wandering about commanded your full attention and careful step.

Finally, we were at the lighthouse where we could abandon our life preservers and learn more about the puffins. All viewing is done through a set of permanent, wooden blinds set up at various locations on the island. Each blind could tightly accomodate 4-5 people plus their camera bags. Small sliding wood panels would allow you to poke your lens through to photograph the puffins, as well as Razorbill Auks, and Arctic Terns here. It was obvious the naturalists were dedicated to minimizing the disturbance and impact on the native bird populations while providing you with some great viewing opportunities.