It took three trips over five years, but I finally got good weather for puffin pictures on this tiny island in the Gulf of Maine. It's a fantastic experience that I recommend to anyone who has the opportunity. We called this little guy the Flying Marshmallow.
Editing details: Not much. Crop, USM, white balance, touch up a couple of spots on the rock, blur the background slightly for banding control, and contrast/exposure tweaks.
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Place: 9 out of 178 Avg (all users): 6.6633 Avg (commenters): 8.0000 Avg (participants): 6.6866 Avg (non-participants): 6.6129 Views since voting: 2464 Views during voting: 185 Votes: 98 Comments: 18 Favorites: 5 (view)
Shannon, can you please give me more information on Machias Seal Island, Maine. I'm going this summer to Maine and I'm looking for a tour to take us out to one of the islands and I've only been able to find one tour that "goes to an island with the Puffins"...And information will be appreciated...
Obviously the bird in the background hurt your chances but I presume rules didn't allow you to edit it out.
Of course I would have preferred the foreground bird alone. I had many other puffin photos that were better for composition, etc. but it was just such an amusing pose that I went with this one. My second choice wasn't a puffin at all and probably would have ribboned. I'll save that one for Best of 2013.
We used Bold Coast Charters out of Cutler Harbor. They're pretty much the only choice for Machias Seal Island unless you depart from Canada. The advantage of Bold Coast is that you have the opportunity (conditions permitting) of going ashore on the nesting island and shooting from blinds, which is an entirely different experience from most puffin tours operating from boats. You have to make reservations by April at the latest to secure a spot in June-August.
There was just so much competition amongst the top finishers in this challenge that it made ribboning difficult cause this is brilliant. Obviously the bird in the background hurt your chances but I presume rules didn't allow you to edit it out.
Which tour group did you use to get out to their island? My sister did one out of Rockport I think...it was recommended by Denise. This is very high on my list of to do's...I love these little guys they are soooo cute and photographic. AND I might get the chance to do it next summer in May/Jun!!!!
Fabulous shot - 9 from me and I should have given it a 10 despite the other in the background. The dof is perfect and he does add context . . . Congratulations on the top ten.
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