Flight Prep
An Atlantic Puffin, Fratercula arctica, stands with wings spread preparing to take off for flight. A pelagic bird that spends eight months out of every year on open water, they seemed a little wobbly and unsure of themselves on land during the mating and breeding season. I watched as they would sprint up the side of a rock and flap their wings, back off, then try again. From where I watched they looked as if they were practicing preparing for flight, or just getting enough nerve to take flight over boulders instead of water. Fascinated with puffins I made the decision to go out to this tiny rock of an island that is the last disputed territory between the United States and Canada to see the puffins while they were on shore for breeding season. Landing on the island Puffins were everywhere, I was told many had fledged the night before, but there were still so many left. For an hour I was able to sit inside a blind build to minimize the impact to the nesting birds and watch them hop, then scramble up a rock to jump into the air to fly out to gather more fish. A wonderful experience. It is my hope that with images like mine that we can bring continued pressure on both nations to continue to protect this important breeding ground. Machias Seal Island, Bay of Fundy, North America. July 2025 44°30'3.329" N 67°6'6.2729" W