and he appears to be leading the Puffin and Razorbill Symphony Orchestra. What sweet music they make!
Earlier in this blog (check back in the archives), I posted a close-up portrait of an Atlantic Puffin from our visit last June to Machias Seal Island (off the coast of Maine but owned by Canada). Puffins, Razorbills, and Murres come to this island (inhabited by just two or three people manning the lighthouse and studying the birds) by the 100s if not 1000s to breed. It was a wonderful experience to be able to get up close and personal with these birds and watch and photograph them from the bird blinds built on the island. The Puffins come the closest with the Razorbills hanging just a little farther off on the rocks.
This post was prompted by the fact that I called today to inquire about returning to the island this June. And that call was the stimulus for me to go back and look through the images made last year. This remains one of my favorite Razorbill images.
(This image is Copyright Ed Vatza 2009. Usage without my prior written approval is prohibited.)
OMG, that is a wonderful portrait. He seems so distinguished, your analogy makes perfect sense.
I love to learn about fascinating places like the Machias Seal Island.
Just the other day I was watching Art Wolfe shooting Puffins on his show (Travels to the Edge). Now I know where to find them. Thanks!
Puffins are one of my favorite birds. Great capture.
Your EXIF data indicates 185mm focal length. Is that correct? If so, the bird blind must have been close to the subject.
Thanks Richard. I appreciate the comments. You could practically reach out the blind window and touch the birds. And there were so many of them. It was often a case of deciding where to point the camera. If I remember the match-ups correctly, I had the 70-200 f/2.8 on my Canon 30D (so yes, the 185mm is correct) and a 400 f/5.6 on a Rebel XT. I think I used the 70-200 around 75% of the time. The Murres were farther out and I used the 400 for them.
We are going back this June. I am thinking of taking the 70-200 again but this time I may take the 300 f/2.8 instead of the 400.
Such a beautiful photo! You’re absolutely right, it looks like he’s leading an orchestra for you, or doing some yoga! You have some great photos on this site! Its a pleasure to look through them. I’m hoping to move back east soon and would like to take a few trips up to Maine as I haven’t been there in many years. I’ll have to plan a trip to that island! Thanks for sharing your images.