I’m sure it is no surprise that seeing and photographing Atlantic Puffins was one of the most anticipated parts of our New England trip earlier this month. In fact, it was so important that we scheduled two boat trips out to Eastern Egg Rock just to make sure we wouldn’t miss them. When the time finally arrived, we were at the docks in Port Clyde, Maine more than an hour early and were treated with some nice views of Common Eider and Black Guillemot while we waited to board. Our boat was a wooden vessel named the Laura B that had seen military action in World War II in the Pacific.

The trip started with a lobstering demonstration with an excellent explanation of the conservation efforts in place to sustain the Maine lobster industry. Of course, with the puffins out of sight it was a bit difficult to concentrate too much on the copious information being offered about the area from the crew. It seemed like an eternity but we finally reached our destination, a tiny rocky island covered with birds and a couple of small buildings; definitely an inhospitable looking place for humans but obviously quite inviting for puffins. Our first glimpse was a pair swimming near the island that the captain carefully eased the Laura B right next to them without frightening them away! During our time in the area we clicked away at a few dozen puffins swimming and flying near the boat in the golden evening sunlight.

As is usually the case, time flies when you are having fun and it seemed like it was time to head out in the blink of an eye in this case. As we headed back to the dock we were treated to a spectacular sunset and reminded by the crew that very soon the puffins would be heading back out to sea until next summer. What a special treat it was for all of us to experience these beautiful birds during the short time that they are accessible.

www.texastargetbirds.com

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Fratercula arctica