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Nest Building


Nest Building
Photo Information
Copyright: Mark Robson (macromania) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 704 W: 29 N: 510] (8762)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-06-11
Categories: Daily Life, Humorous, Nature
Camera: Nikon D300, Sigma 50-500mm f/4-6.3 EX APO RF, RAW
Exposure: f/6.3, 1/125 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2009-08-14 9:30
Viewed: 179
Points: 24
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
The common name puffin describes any of three auk species (or alcids) in the bird genus Fratercula (Latin: little brother — probably a reference to their black and white plumage, which resembles monastic robes) with a brightly colored beak in the breeding season. These are pelagic seabirds that feed primarily by diving. They breed in large colonies on coastal cliffs or offshore islands, nesting in crevices among rocks or in burrows in the soil.

All three puffin species have large bills. They shed the colourful outer parts of their bills after the breeding season, leaving a smaller and duller beak. Their short wings are adapted for swimming with a flying technique under water. In the air, they beat their wings rapidly (up to 100 times per minute) in swift flight, often flying low over the ocean's surface.

The male Atlantic Puffin builds the nest and exhibits strong nest site fidelity. Both sexes of the Horned Puffin help to construct their nest. The burrows of the Atlantic and Horned Puffin are usually only about 1 metre (3 feet) deep, ending in a chamber, but the tunnel leading to a Tufted Puffin burrow may be up to 2.75 metres (9 feet) in length. The Atlantic Puffin burrow is usually lined with material such as grass, leaves and feathers but is occasionally unlined. The eggs of the Atlantic Puffin are creamy white but can be occasionally tinged in lilac.

Unlike many animals, puffins form long-term pair bonds. The female lays a single egg, and both parents incubate the egg and feed the chick. The incubating parent holds the egg against their brood patch with their wings. The chicks fledge at night. After fledging, the chicks spend the first few years of their lives at sea, returning to breed after three to seven years.

Like many auks, puffins eat both fish and zooplankton, but feed their chicks primarily with small marine fish several times a day. The puffins are distinct in their ability to hold several (sometimes over a dozen) small fishes at a time, crosswise in their bill. This allows them to take longer foraging trips, since they can come back with more energy for their chick than a bird that can only carry one fish at a time.

From Wikipedia
CallMeMaria, shelbeesmom, sanjibbehera, gondox, Beger has marked this note useful
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ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To CallMeMaria: Thanksmacromania 1 08-14 09:48
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Mark,
Magnificent moment you've captured!
Beautiful colors and subjects.
TFS
Regards,
Lurdes

  • Great 
  • Niva Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1150 W: 2 N: 842] (10469)
  • [2009-08-14 9:51]

An excellent presentation, Mark !
Colors, sharpness, mood ... just great!
TFS.
Kind regards,
Nivaldo

This is so nice Mark! I love the quality of this shot! Most of all you got a nice close crop on this! The puffin in the BG is a nice addition too!
B-)
Linda

Hi Mark,

Nice crisp photo of the bird and good details here. a true moment here. good colors too.
thanks for sharing. have a nice weekend.

Regards,
Sanjib

Hi Mark!

Very deatilful shot of the puffin, I especially love the shine on its feathers! COmposed well too, TFS!

Best regards,
Andor

Hello Mark

very well captured.
Beautiful image, excellent colors and detail.
Regards

Faruk

  • Great 
  • S-moon Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 368 W: 80 N: 367] (2291)
  • [2009-08-14 11:23]

Wow amazing colours and lighting! Perfect sharpnes and composition! Very well done.

TFS Greetings Simone

  • Great 
  • john1 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 174 W: 0 N: 183] (1504)
  • [2009-08-14 11:56]

Hi mark,

Beautifull capture, the sharpness and details are perfect.
Very well done.
Best regards.
John

Hi Mark - beautiful shot of this puffin. I went over to Bempton Cliffs the other week to try and catch some, but they have all left now! Great clairty and colours, TFS, Cerys

Hi Mark..nice shot of this great bird...I used to watch them run on the water and take off in Northern Norway.

Roger

Verry good picture,great shot.Best regards.Alin.

  • Great 
  • Beger Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3307 W: 788 N: 4423] (19902)
  • [2009-10-03 20:34]

I missed this gorgeous post, Mark!
I adore the way which the light reveals some great details on the dark plumage of this puffin. The tender foliage makes a very good contrast too. Excellent POV and DOF, the little guy in BG adds a good depth. Delightful image! Annie

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