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Hank Vander Velde | all galleries >> Galleries >> Puffins > 20100731 - 2 140 Atlantic Puffin SERIES.jpg
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28-JUL-2010 Hank v/d Velde

20100731 - 2 140 Atlantic Puffin SERIES.jpg

Bird Island, Cape Breton

Five images - My first five ever of a Puffin. Note these images were taken under adverse conditions. Harsh mid-day sun; from a rocking boat with about 10 people pushing to get shots; and using a 300mm, non-VR lens, hand-held. The quality of these images is not very good, but then, beggars can't be choosers. I got my first Puffins.

Top Image: My very first Puffin - no kidding. It's got to get better.


My second shot. Well at least I got more of it.


On my third shot, I got one with a beak full of fish.


A Black Guillemot, also a first ever for me, wanted to get in on the picture. Actually, it had been swimming towards the Puffin as though it wanted to share in the meal, but when the boat got too close it took off and flew through my line of fire.


Oops, the boat got too close for the Puffin too and off it flew with its haul. It was holding at least six little fish in its beak a feat comparable to that of Purple Martins being able to catch and hold six to seven wasps in their beaks.

Nikon D300S ,Nikkor 300mm f/4 ED-IF AF-S
1/500s f/6.3 at 300.0mm iso320 full exif

other sizes: small medium original auto
Janet Forjan-Freedman11-Aug-2010 17:19
Congrats on adding two wonderful species to your life list!
Simon Chandler10-Aug-2010 17:43
Excellent series, very lively and captivating. The first puffin in the wild image I have seen. v
Len10-Aug-2010 02:26
Well done Hank, good shots under adverse conditions!!!
Dave Hawkins10-Aug-2010 00:44
Ive yet to see these wonderful birds, nice series
Ghislaine et Réal Boulet09-Aug-2010 23:05
Beautiful seria. The first one is very original.
hge5409-Aug-2010 21:54
Great series, Hank. I live far closer to Puffins than you, but have yet to get a photo.
Maja Waiss09-Aug-2010 21:36
Very nice!!!
Colin Storey09-Aug-2010 19:43
Great set of images for your first puffin.
Michal Leszczynski09-Aug-2010 18:05
Wonderful series Hank. V.
jychamberland09-Aug-2010 18:03
very nice serie Hank! happy for you Hank you got your first puffins.
Lieve Snellings09-Aug-2010 17:33
fantastic for capturing your first Puffins Hank !
I only saw them in the Biodôme for the first time... you got this one in real life... WOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
Guest 09-Aug-2010 16:50
Congrats your on your first Puffin!! Great series, Hank.
Guest 09-Aug-2010 13:37
what a brave little fella :) V
Guest 09-Aug-2010 12:08
you' re so good in making such a serie Hank.The light is wonderful too.
Nora van Beek09-Aug-2010 10:07
You did a great job on these, especially under the conditions you were facing. I would be happy with any one of these.
Giancarlo Guzzardi09-Aug-2010 07:32
the second picture is my preferred, a splendid motion of the water
January Grey09-Aug-2010 05:43
Terrific series, Hank! Cute little birds!
Bryan Murahashi09-Aug-2010 04:20
Wonderful captures of this colorful Puffin.
larose forest photos09-Aug-2010 02:37
I would be happy with any shots of puffins! They are such wondrous birds. Your shots are terrific.
Carol Rollins09-Aug-2010 01:51
Congrats on your first Puffin, Hank, and on these great shots. You did Great in the conditions you describe. ~
Tom Munson09-Aug-2010 01:46
Great shots, Hank! It's always nice to see a new bird.
Guest 09-Aug-2010 01:12
Great action shot....Amazing series.
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