Portfolio
Blog RSS
This form does not yet contain any fields.
    « Aerial Photography | Main | Moving Matter Virtually »

    Shooting Puffins on Machias Seal Island (With a camera!)

    DateTuesday, August 25, 2009 at 11:53AM

    About 14 miles off the coast of Northern Maine, not far from Candian waters, is an 18 acre rocky island called Machias Seal Island. Apparently the US says the island is ours and charges the companies that ferry naturalists and birders through the cold Atlantic Ocean to visit the island a landing fee and requires them to have special permits. OK, that all makes sense, however you soon realize that Canada thinks the island belkongs to them and they're so sure about ti that they built a giant lighthouse, helipad and living quarters for the two people who rotate onto the island.

     

    The great news in all this disagreement is that the colony of roughly 3,000 puffins that call the island home and the 2,000 others that come to party there are well protected and watched over. I got up at 4:00AM in Winter Harbor in the second week of August and slipped out for the 1.5 hour drive up to Jonesport where the Norton Family has been taking people to visit the island for years. You go ashore in a little launch they tow in their wake.


    They couldn't have been nicer and it's a trip everyone should get to take some time. Here are a few pictures of the inhabitants.

     

    AuthorPhil Scott Photography | Comment4 Comments |

    Reader Comments (4)

    Hi there I like your post.www.gobesthandbags.com

    December 30, 2010 | Unregistered Commentermurphy

    I have read about the Puffins nesting on Machias Island off the coast of Maine. I am going there in late July. Does anyone have personal experience with this and can advise what the situation is there? I will be shooting from the blind and would like to know which lenses to take for both full and crop frame cameras. I understand we will be very close to the birds. Will we be shooting from standing, seated or laying on the ground? Any other observations will be appreciated. Thanks in advance for any suggestions you can offer.

    Bible Audio

    July 1, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterBible Audio

    PostPost a New Comment

    Enter your information below to add a new comment.

    My response is on my own website »
    Author Email (optional):
    Author URL (optional):
    Post:
     
    Some HTML allowed: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <code> <em> <i> <strike> <strong>

    Notify me of follow-up comments via email.