I was looking at a Workshop on Bonaventure Island on the Gaspee in Canada. I hesitated when I think I saw that it was a 1.5 hour climb with gear to get to the "sweet spot" on the Island.

With all the gear I think I need (500mm, Gimbal tripod etc), I think I would be wiped out (72 year old) by the time, if and when, we got to the destination. I am going to PEI which is several hours from there in a week or so and I am looking for the following:

1.) Is it really that far to the good stuff with your gear?

2.) Is a workshop ($1500) the only way to get on the Island?

3,) Is there a seasonal range of time where the population of birds is there?

Thanks so much to anyone that can help!

Regards, Don LaVange

It's been 20 years since I've been there but at the time, there were frequent boats (water taxis) to the island for a few dollars and then it was just a fairly easy hike to the birds. No need for a $1500 workshop! The only problem I remember was getting sunburned!

I recommend you visit this website for further details and send a few emails to the park people.

http://sepaq.com/pq/bon/en/

I suggest you should ask the moderator ("Guardian") to move your post to the "Nature" forum where you might receive more feedback on your inquiry.

The past two summers I attended the workshop given by Chris Dodds. Anyone can purchase a ticket to take a boat to the island. The walk is more like 40 minutes if you take your time but the hike from the dock to the colony is actually quite strenuous for about the first mile. It then levels off and ends with a slight downhill to the colony. The walk back is much easier since it turns out to be mostly downhill and can be done in 30 minutes or less. The hike is about 1.5 miles if I remember correctly. Last year I was 62 and we had another member of the workshop that was in his early 70's and neither of us that had any difficulty in making the climb each day for the 5 days of the workshop even with fully loaded backpacks. It really depends on your condition. Many people, without photography gear, make the hike each day and many of them do not appear to be in particularly great shape. I tend to keep quite active but time is beginning to catch up with me.

The only birds you will see in any numbers are the gannets but their numbers are astounding. If the wind is blowing at all there will be thousands in the air at any time which makes for great flight shot practice. If you can catch an overcast day you can shoot with good light for the entire day.

July and August seem to be the prime times as I've been told the birds begin to leave in September. You may want to verify that as I've only been there July and August.

If I can be of any additional help please let me know. Email is also fine.

Bill

Don ... just hire a young person to go along with you and carry all of your gear for you ... it would be a good experience for them and you.

Good luck,
Bill.

Don, I'll gladly haul your equipment thereand back and massage your feet and make you a nice cuppa, if you'll pay for an air fare - yes I'm serious.

I was there three weeks ago so I'll give you my two cents

1. It's not 1 1/2h to get to the Gannets but 45 minutes from the little harbor on the island. I was also told that it was a steep walk but it's nothing like the Alps. Just go at your own pace and you'll be fine. I have seen people of all ages there, including very young children and people with trolleys! That being said I am not sure a 500mm will be needed, you can photograph Gannets as close as 10ft, I went there with my 400mm f/5.6 and I could get some OK shots (see below why no good shots).

2. No! Sorry for Chris Dodds and Arthur Morris but I think a $1500 workshop on Bonaventure is way overpriced (and that doesn't include the boat trip or lunch). The boat costs about $40 return.

3. Of course. The birds will be leaving the island from mid september I was told. Right now there are a lot of Gannet chicks around and they are almost ready for their first trip.

A few extra considerations if I may :

* Bring water. If it's sunny it can be very hot in the woods on the island, sun blasting and no wind.

* Be ready for a nasty smell. Let's face it : Gannets stink There were also a lot of flies when I was there.

* Bring your lunch if possible. The SEPAQ who holds the park offers and few snacks to purchase at the Gannet spot but it's only chips, chocolate bars and they'll sell you a Snickers for $15. There is a small restaurant in Percé by the pier called La Boite A Lunch, they make good lunch packs for people who go spend the day on Bonaventure.

* Take the first boat to avoid the crowd and benefit from the best light. The company Les Bateliers de Percé takes the SEPAQ staff to the island at 8h45 in the morning. You cannot get earlier than that, unless you spend the night on Bonaventure but that is strictly forbidden. I know some who do this though...

* If possible see if you can go on an overcast day. When I was there the sun was blasting real hard and the wind was coming the opposite direction of the sun so the Gannets were landing towards me, but with the sun in their back. Not good for good shots

Feel free to PM me if you have more questions.

Enjoy your trip, Gaspésie is one of the nicest areas in Québec.

Thank you to everyone that has responded! Although, I joined this forum in December of 2004, I have not been active on it as you can see from the number of posts. Thus placing this post in the wrong spot (I forgot where I was). Many did respond, though as you can see.

I am really not in that poor condition, but I AM beginning to wonder. Thanks again for all this great information.

@Pixel Perfect: , now if you were living in Charlottetown PEI, we might have a deal. I remember reading that an airline made more on one passenger flying from Australia to the US, than from an entire aircraft flying from Boston to NYC. Probably not true, but you get the idea!

Oh I forgot to plug my Flickr gallery

If you want a few holiday snapshots to give you an idea (Gannets on the second page) :
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ocean7/