Photographing puffins can be both exciting and therapeutic. One of my favourite places is the Treshnish Isles off the west coast of the Isle of Mull which can provide one of the most spectacular locations with plenty opportunities to photograph these delightful birds.
If you want to photograph puffins there are trips to Lunga in the Treshnish Isle available from Ulva Ferry on the Isle of Mull. Contact Taurus Mara who offer cruises to Staffa and the Treshnish Isles.
There is opportunity to spend time spent ashore on Lunga, one of the Treshnish Isles, which has a healthy population of puffins. Just follow the advice of the skipper regarding the best route to the seabird colonies and after a fairly easy twenty minute walk you are right amongst the birds.
It is easy to get distracted whilst photographing puffins but it is necessary to tread carefully to avoid the Puffin burrows. I find best way for photographing puffins is just to settle down near to a small group and watch as they fly in and out and interact with each other. Indeed, apart from photographing puffins there will be plenty of opportunities for some other bird photography as well. Razorbills, guillemots, fulmar and kittiwake are all on Lunga and generally fairly approachable with care.
It is not necessary to use a long lens to photograph the puffins, I would suggest no more than 300mm. However, if you were looking to photograph the other birds as well then a longer lens would be beneficial as they are further away and less accessible.
Here are just a few images from my time photographing puffins during my last visit to Lunga. They are all special reminders of a great day.
Photographing Puffins – How to get there
For further details on joining one of the Taurus Mara cruises to Staffa and Treshnish Isles, including Lunga telephone 01688 400242 or 01688 400297. You can also follow Turus Mara on Twitter at @turus_mara and @colin_mull.
About Phil
Twitter: WedngAlbumCafe
says:
Phil these are SO gorgeous! wow how did you manage to get so close or were you close? I had never heard of a puffin until I saw Gordon Ramsay killing, cooking and eating them on his show. He sure didn’t depict their beauty the way you did. Gosh I love these so much.
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Thank you for your kind words.
I cannot imagine why in this day and age anyone, including Mr Ramsey, would want to kill a puffin. Yes, they are gorgeous but more importantly their numbers are in decline so we should respect every last one of them.
Whilst killing puffins was quite common at one time and for many Hebridean islanders it was very much a part of their staple diet there is no need today!
- Phil
Twitter: Droversford
says:
Gorgeous! Images 2 and 4 are my favourite, as they really have beautifully captured the little chap’s personality. Definitely going to attempt adding puffins to my portfolio now. Many thanks for inspiring
Caroline x
Hi Caroline, thank you for your kind comment, it is much appreciated. Glad you like the Puffin photos, they are such cute comical guys and it was a pleasure to spend time with them.
With care they are quite approachable and just sitting there watching them was a real privilege.
If you had chance it would certainly be a trip worth taking.
Have a lovely day,
- Phil
Each & every photograph is cool & the timing is perfect. Thanks for exploring your photos. I think if you will go & print these photos on canvas then this will be like icing on the cake.
Twitter: AGPAOfficial
says:
Very nice and crisp images of puffins. I had seen some when I lived in Alaska, but I never knew that they were found all around the world. Hands down these are some most amazing images of them that I have seen. Actually when I think about it these look even cooler then when I saw them in person. Great shoot.
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