Well, if you ever go to Sitka, Alaska, which is a gorgeous place to visit in
the summer and only a short plane flight away (2 hrs), I can highly
recommend the boat/raft tours of the protected islands very close to Sitka
where the puffins and murres breed. The water is very calm and you can't
beat the scenery. The puffins swim around your boat and if you're lucky,
they'll be feeding young. I forget the name of the Islands, but Sitka's a
small place, just go down to the marina near the main Hotel (Westmark Shee
Attika) and there will be signs advertising the tours. They are led by
naturalists who teach at the local university. There are also longer trips
to see wildlife, bears, etc.
You have to go when they're breeding (June-July?). - Teresa Michelsen

-----Original Message-----
From: rainbird at blarg.net <rainbird at blarg.net>
To: tweeters at u.washington.edu <tweeters at u.washington.edu>
Date: Monday, July 12, 1999 7:32 AM
Subject: Puffins?


Other than at zoos and aquariums, I've never seen a puffin, and I'd
like to do something about that. Any recommendations about time
and place (both with and without some sort of boat trip involvement)
would be greatly appreciated.

Lauralee