It's been a while since I last posted any photos - life has had a habit of getting in the way of doing much wildlife work over the last few years .
As one or two Puffins will be starting to appear on the forum as it's that time of year again, I thought I'd share this shot with you - not for art or critique, simply for information! This is a shot from a few years back and shows something many of you won't have seen (unless on some 'reality' TV show) - a Puffling.
Most Pufflings fledge en-masse and do so at night to help give them some protection against predatory gulls. This bird had only just fledged the night before this was taken and had been found trapped behind a stone wall. It was rescued along with a few others, checked over and taken down to the sea and 'fledged' - literally thrown (gently) into the water so it could paddle off and join the raft of other Pufflings out at sea. It was one of the lucky ones, others not so lucky would be found and picked off by gulls before they could reach the safety of the water and swallowed whole!
They're not as pretty or photogenic as their parents, and it'll be several years before they reach sexual maturity and develop the colourful bill.
1D2, 300/2.8 1000s @ f/5.6 on an overcast day.
Posted by David Sewell on June 12, 2013 at 6:28 PM
The hands give a good idea of the size of the puffling, and it is already showing some of the character of the species. Let's hope some lucky photographer is able to photograph the now adult individual over the next few weeks.
If it's survived, It's probably just bred for the 1st time this year.
Posted by Paul Whippey on June 12, 2013 at 6:51 PM
Thanks for sharing this Nick. It may not have the bright colours of the adult, but its still full of life. Superb species that I hope to photograph at some point.
Discussion
9 repliesAs one or two Puffins will be starting to appear on the forum as it's that time of year again, I thought I'd share this shot with you - not for art or critique, simply for information! This is a shot from a few years back and shows something many of you won't have seen (unless on some 'reality' TV show) - a Puffling.
Most Pufflings fledge en-masse and do so at night to help give them some protection against predatory gulls. This bird had only just fledged the night before this was taken and had been found trapped behind a stone wall. It was rescued along with a few others, checked over and taken down to the sea and 'fledged' - literally thrown (gently) into the water so it could paddle off and join the raft of other Pufflings out at sea. It was one of the lucky ones, others not so lucky would be found and picked off by gulls before they could reach the safety of the water and swallowed whole!
They're not as pretty or photogenic as their parents, and it'll be several years before they reach sexual maturity and develop the colourful bill.
1D2, 300/2.8 1000s @ f/5.6 on an overcast day.
David
Keith.
Interesting information thanks for sharing.
Bob
Nicely done and agree re the interesting read. Good to see a different shot of this species, Nick.
Andy...