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RALPH ELDRIDGE | all galleries >> Galleries >> NATURE NB PHOTOS > 074 PUFFIN BILL SHEDDING 01
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19-AUG-2009 Rae

074 PUFFIN BILL SHEDDING 01

MACHIAS SEAL ISLAND, NEW BRUNSWICK, CANADA

The brightly coloured Atlantic Puffin is well known.
However, it's less known that the iconic colours are briefly held breeding characteristics.
Until they mature at about age 5 and for most of their adult life, Puffins are much duller coloured.
This Puffin is begining to shed the outer layer of it's beak.
The white/gray facial feathers are molting, replaced by the dark gray/black feathers of the non-breeding plumage.

The sheath has separated from the bill. Light passing through the thin covering makes it look yellowish gray.
The entire sheath has moved forward and downward, partly covering the nasal opening.

Canon EOS 5D ,Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM
1/250s f/5.6 at 600.0mm iso50 full exif

other sizes: small medium original auto
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Michael 27-Mar-2013 18:23
I cannot find o photo of a puffin without the characteristic beak. I know they shed the outer layer each Winter but cannot find a photo of them in Winter
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