Pribilof Islands seabirds

July 13, 2024 · St. Paul Island, Pribilof Islands, Alaska · Fog, 44°F, moderate wind off the Bering · Fujifilm X-T5, 150-600mm

Flew from Anchorage on the small plane to St. Paul. The Pribilofs in July are the best Bering Sea seabird photography in North America — Horned and Tufted Puffins, Parakeet Auklets, Least Auklets, and Red-legged Kittiwakes all on accessible cliffs. Thick fog for two of four days, but even in fog the birds are inches away.

If you’ve never been, do it. I ended the trip behind on sleep and ahead on life list in a way that felt like a trade worth making.

Horned puffin on cliff ledge — Clean white face, yellow bill base. Horned Puffin 200mm, 1/1000s, f/5.6, ISO 200

Tufted puffin with golden tufts — Orange bill, golden tufts, black body. Tufted Puffin 200mm, 1/1000s, f/6.3, ISO 800

Parakeet auklet on rock — Surprisingly delicate up close. Parakeet Auklet 250mm, 1/800s, f/5.6, ISO 640

Least auklet in crevice — Tiny. Whiskered. Loud. Least Auklet 150mm, 1/1000s, f/7.1, ISO 400

Red-legged kittiwake on nest — Red legs visible on the ledge. Red-legged Kittiwake 150mm, 1/1250s, f/7.1, ISO 400

Thick-billed murre on cliff — Among the most cooperative birds on the island. Thick-billed Murre 200mm, 1/800s, f/6.3, ISO 640

Fur seal pup on beach — Pup on the beach, mother out at sea. Northern Fur Seal 200mm, 1/1600s, f/8, ISO 2000

Wide view of seabird cliff in fog — Cliff with birds, fog not included. Pribilof cliff 23mm, 1/1000s, f/11, ISO 160

Red-faced cormorant on rock — Red face visible in rare good light. Red-faced Cormorant 450mm, 1/1600s, f/7.1, ISO 1250

Crested auklet on rock — Curled crest, citrus scent. Crested Auklet 150mm, 1/1000s, f/6.3, ISO 400