Machias Seal puffin burrows

July 29, 2024 · Machias Seal Island, Maine / New Brunswick · Calm, 58°F, clear sky, 3-foot swell at the dock · Fujifilm X-T5, 150-600mm

Took the boat from Cutler. Machias Seal in late July is high season for puffins and the blind system there is the best close-work I’ve done with the species. Forty-five minutes in a blind and puffins within arm’s reach, walking in and out of burrows, arguing, delivering fish. Also Razorbills and Arctic Terns on the rocks.

Shooting a foot from your subject through a small hole in plywood concentrates the mind. No room for error.

Puffin with fish crossways in bill — Classic pose. Fish visible, wings back. Atlantic Puffin 200mm, 1/1250s, f/7.1, ISO 200

Puffin at burrow entrance — At the burrow. Watching for me. Atlantic Puffin 150mm, 1/1000s, f/5.6, ISO 200

Two puffins sparring — Two puffins arguing. Bills locked. Atlantic Puffin 250mm, 1/800s, f/5.6, ISO 200

Razorbill on rock — Cleaner lines than puffins, in my opinion. Razorbill 200mm, 1/800s, f/6.3, ISO 640

Common murre on ledge — A few bridled birds mixed in. Common Murre 250mm, 1/1250s, f/6.3, ISO 200

Arctic tern hovering overhead — Caught me with one dive. Close look at the bill. Arctic Tern 250mm, 1/1000s, f/5.6, ISO 400

Arctic tern with fish — Bringing in a small silvery fish. Arctic Tern 300mm, 1/1250s, f/6.3, ISO 400

Wide view of island with lighthouse — The island from the water. Machias Seal 23mm, 1/250s, f/8, ISO 200

Close view of burrow in turf — They burrow here too. Not visible by day. Leach's Storm-Petrel, burrow entrance 150mm, 1/500s, f/8, ISO 800

Grey seal in water — Head up, watching the boat. Grey Seal 500mm, 1/2000s, f/8, ISO 800