Tour Recap — Bonavista Peninsula — May 17–18

Some tours are defined by dramatic sunsets and perfect weather. Others are defined by atmosphere, unpredictability, and the small moments that end up sticking with you long after the trip is over.

This private two day tour with Newfoundland Photo Tours around the Bonavista Peninsula definitely fell into the second category.

The weather shifted constantly throughout the weekend. Heavy cloud, rain, calm seas, bright blue sky, fog, and soft evening light all made appearances at one point or another. Newfoundland doing Newfoundland things.

What I always enjoy most about these tours is that no matter how many times I visit these locations each year, they never feel exactly the same. The challenge becomes finding new ways to photograph places I know intimately. Different light, different weather, different moods, different perspectives. Trying to tell an old story in a slightly different way every time.

And honestly, that challenge is part of why I still love doing this so much.

One of the highlights of the trip ended up being a low light workshop in Bonavista Harbour. The original plan was to chase sunset colour, but the sky had other ideas. Instead of dramatic oranges and pinks, we were given heavy storm clouds, soft blue hour light, and water that turned into glass during long exposures.

Sometimes the “failed” sunset sessions end up being the best ones.

We spent quite a while photographing the harbour front and fishing boats before moving over toward the Ryan Premises as the lights started coming on around town.

The Ryan Premises are one of those places I photograph repeatedly throughout the season and never really get tired of. The architecture, reflections, and weather all change the feel of the scene every single visit.

This evening had a quietness to it that suited the location perfectly.

The day brought more classic Newfoundland conditions: wind, scattered rain showers, and low cloud hanging over the coastline.

Perfect puffin weather.

We visited the puffin colony in Elliston where I photographed my first puffin of the season, appropriately enough, in the rain. It somehow feels wrong photographing puffins under clear blue skies anyway.

I find myself won over by the improvements made around the site this year after having many initial concerns. The upgraded trails and viewing areas, along with better barriers near both the cliffs and nesting areas, seem like a huge improvement for both visitor safety and protecting the birds themselves.

The colony still feels wild and accessible without people getting quite so close to the edge... or the puffins.

One completely unexpected highlight of the trip came while visiting the lighthouse area when we happened across a male and female pair of Northern Pintails.

That ended up being a personal birding first for me, always a fun surprise during tour season. Even after years of exploring these roads and coastlines, there are still moments that catch me completely off guard.

That is part of the magic of Newfoundland wildlife photography. You can plan all you want, but the best moments are usually the ones you never expected.

We also spent some time photographing a nesting Double Crested Cormorant perched among the cliffs. The muted grey light and dark rock worked perfectly together here.

Not every wildlife image needs dramatic lighting. Sometimes soft, flat coastal weather gives just the right mood.

One of the more memorable wildlife encounters came from a nesting pair of Ospreys that were incredibly cooperative. The light turned beautifully clean and bright for a short stretch and gave us a completely different look from the rest of the trip.

The intensity in an Osprey’s eyes always amazes me up close.

Seeing the pair interacting together was even better. There is something about photographing wildlife behaviour rather than just portraits that always feels more rewarding.

Along with the Ospreys, we also spotted Goldeneyes, Guillemots, Kittiwakes, Gannets, and plenty more throughout the weekend.

Back in Champney’s West, I found myself experimenting again with framing and composition. This is another place I return to constantly during tour season, and every visit becomes an opportunity to push myself creatively a little differently.

Sometimes the challenge is not finding a new location. Sometimes the challenge is finding a new way to see a familiar one.

That yellow building framed through the weathered rope immediately caught my attention, and I knew I wanted to try something a little less straightforward.

Not every experiment works, but trying new things is always worth it.

Of course, no Bonavista Peninsula trip feels complete without spending time along the rugged coastline itself. The sea arch and surrounding cliffs were moody and dramatic under the heavy sky, with waves rolling through below us.

Conditions like this may not scream postcard Newfoundland, but they feel authentic to the place.

The coastline around Bonavista always feels ancient to me. Weathered rock, open ocean, and the sense that the landscape has been shaped slowly over thousands upon thousands of years.

It is impossible not to slow down a little while standing out there.

This trip may not have delivered the glowing sunset skies we originally hoped for, but it gave us something better: atmosphere, wildlife, quiet moments, and the reminder that photography is rarely about perfect conditions.

Often it is about adapting, observing, and learning how to work with whatever the landscape gives you.

And Newfoundland always gives you something.

Where We Stayed

For this tour we stayed at the Harbour Quarters Inn in Bonavista, which made an excellent base for exploring the peninsula. Comfortable rooms, beautiful harbour views, and easy access to many of the locations we photographed throughout the weekend made it the perfect home base between early mornings and late evening shoots.

After long days on the road and along the coastline, it was hard to beat winding down overlooking the water while planning the next day’s route and watching the weather roll through.

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Where We Ate

No Newfoundland photography trip is complete without good food along the way, and this weekend definitely did not disappoint.

One stop was Skipper’s Restaurant in Bonavista, well known for its live music during the summer season and, when they are in season, absolutely fantastic lobster rolls. A perfect casual stop after a long day of photographing along the coast.

We also visited Mifflin’s Tea Room, a cozy little restaurant specializing in traditional home cooked Newfoundland meals. Warm atmosphere, classic dishes, and for my money, the BEST seafood chowder around. One of those places that feels like part restaurant, part Newfoundland kitchen table.

Gear Used

For anyone curious about the equipment used throughout this tour:

Camera Body
Canon R5

Lenses
Canon RF 11–22mm
Canon RF 24–105mm
Sigma 150–600mm
Canon 200–400mm

Filters
ND Filters for the long exposure harbour and low light work

The 24–105mm handled most of the landscapes and environmental shots throughout the trip, while the longer lenses were used heavily for wildlife around Elliston, the lighthouse area, and the osprey nest sites. The ND filters came out during the evening workshop sessions in Bonavista Harbour and at the Ryan Premises to smooth the water and stretch the movement in the clouds.