Puffin Photography

Puffin Photography

Photographing these popular subjects has been difficult this past year with Lockdown preventing travel. That's no reason to not plan for the time when we can return.




It's that time of year when our little brothers of the Arctic begin to return to the land to breed. That's the literal translation of their scientific name, Fratercula Arctica. There are some lucky locals that can have their permitted exercise along public footpaths where there are puffins and other seabirds, for example Bempton cliffs on the Yorkshire coast in order to get their puffin fix.




There are many other locations around the British Isles where photographing puffins is possible when Lockdown eases. My favourite place is Skokholm off the coast of Pembrokeshire. Unlike it's more famous near neighbour Skomer it doesn't cater for daytrippers because it's a much more sensitive environment. A maximum of about 20 people are allowed on at any time and that includes staff and researchers. I count myself privileged to have been there so many times. However, staying for a couple of nights on Skomer will still give you a fine time enjoying wildlife. You'll still be able to experience the Manx shearwaters which are another wonder of that part of the world.




There are numerous places around the island to get puffin pictures, though Crab Bay is arguably the best and easiest. There is a hide but you don't need to use it and you don't need a 500 mm f'/4 lens in order to get decent shots. Indeed a wideangle can be good enough. Just sit there quietly and the puffins may well come that close. Too close to focus with a 70-200 lens. Early one evening while sitting down one puffin came and stood by my feet, then proceeded to walk between my feet and under my hunched leg. Sometimes the experience is better than any picture.



A view showing the location of where the images were taken.


[color=#aaf4a6][size=6]All text and images © Keith Rowley 2021[/size][/color]