Impossibly Cute
I added this image as it shows their huge, expressive eyes. When I visited Maine last month I had little hope of seeing one, knowing it was breeding season and their nesting island was closed. Puffins spend most of their time far out at sea (they are considered part of the diet of many countries, like Iceland) and only come to shore to nest. As their breeding season ends, the colorful, outer layer of their beak falls off, leaving their bills smaller and less colorful.
There were no scheduled cruises to search for them at sea but I lucked out and found one of the boats that goes back and forth to Monhegan Island that would take us near Eastern Egg Island if I could find 10 more people. The stars aligned as a Sierra Club group from CA agreed to change their plans and get right on the boat! We cruised well back from the islands shoreline, but the Atlantic Puffins were in pairs, flying and floating in the sea. Not the easiest of shots as the boat rises up and down while the birds bob up and down themselves! Between trying to stand without falling, and hold on to the camera, on the rocking deck, and keep the subject somewhere in the frame....it was a fun challenge!
Member of the Flickr Bird Brigade
Activists for birds and wildlife
Impossibly Cute
I added this image as it shows their huge, expressive eyes. When I visited Maine last month I had little hope of seeing one, knowing it was breeding season and their nesting island was closed. Puffins spend most of their time far out at sea (they are considered part of the diet of many countries, like Iceland) and only come to shore to nest. As their breeding season ends, the colorful, outer layer of their beak falls off, leaving their bills smaller and less colorful.
There were no scheduled cruises to search for them at sea but I lucked out and found one of the boats that goes back and forth to Monhegan Island that would take us near Eastern Egg Island if I could find 10 more people. The stars aligned as a Sierra Club group from CA agreed to change their plans and get right on the boat! We cruised well back from the islands shoreline, but the Atlantic Puffins were in pairs, flying and floating in the sea. Not the easiest of shots as the boat rises up and down while the birds bob up and down themselves! Between trying to stand without falling, and hold on to the camera, on the rocking deck, and keep the subject somewhere in the frame....it was a fun challenge!
Member of the Flickr Bird Brigade
Activists for birds and wildlife