Puffin in flight

[Deborah Harrison]

I've made many attempts to see and photograph puffins, this year I travelled to the Farne Islands in Northumberland (UK) where I finally managed to get a few images of this skittish bird. Although there are many wonderful published images they really are a challenge to photograph!
This was handheld, Nikon D3, ASA 800, 70-200 VRII @ f5.6 1/8000 -1/3 EV

[Jory Griesman]

Very nice, Deborah. Sharp, nicely exposed, and like the underwing detail. Bonus is the food in the mouth. Really like the background. Could perhaps use a bit more room top and bottom.

[Ken_Bower]

Excellent photo, incredibly sharp and the puffin really pops out of the background, and you even caught him with a full mouthful of sand eels and/or fish. I know just hard hard these birds are to photograph in flight, they are incredibly fast.

[stuart wanuck]

nice sharp image fish in mouth nice capture

[Deborah Harrison]

Thanks, I've had a few failures in past attempts to capture these rapid birds. Was lucky with incredible weather for the two opportunities I had. Also, thanks to people here, advise given to me and others my technique is hopefully beginning to improve.

[Nicki Gwynn Jones]

Debbie, when were you on the Farnes? I was there the last weekend in June, both days, and was wearing my BPN hat in the hope that a kindred spirit might have been lurking somewhere! Isn't it just the neatest expereience?! Next time you come over do get in touch :)
Love the image - you did really well with this one - great sharpness and details. They certainly are a challenge :o

[Morkel Erasmus]

this is something different than the normal Puffin images Deborah - except the eels :)
love the pose, the clouds and sky at the back and the head tilted towards you - super exposure

[Dumay de Boulle]

Top class exposure and detail, never thought they could fly as I have only ever seen still of them...Lovely image

[Jay Tan]

Wow this pose/angle is really unique and that clouds+sky background really makes this a very nice flight image.

[Deborah Harrison]

Thanks all - not only do they fly but carry eels of various shapes and sizes to they burrows. Nicki I was there Sunday and Monday around the 27th June and also got to Bass Rock. Staple Island was an amazing experience - many photographers but I must have missed the BPN hat!

[Hendri Venter]

I totally agree with all positives comments above. Very good photography Deborah.

[Nicki Gwynn Jones]

Debbie, I was there on Saturday and Sunday 26th and 27th! How about that :)