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Puffins for Thor


Puffins for Thor
Photo Information
Copyright: Adrian Hutton (aido) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1097 W: 168 N: 1218] (4046)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-06-24
Categories: Birds
Camera: Nikon D2X, Sigma EX 50-500mm f/4-6.3 APO HSM DG
Exposure: f/6.3, 1/400 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Theme(s): The Farne Islands, Dedications at Trek Nature, !!! STOLEN PHOTOS !!! I, Birds of World, A - Z Birds [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2006-07-18 5:41
Viewed: 1905
Favorites: 3 [view]
Points: 92
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
I thought I’d dedicate this one to Thor (thor68) as I know this is his favourite bird :-) This is a kind of continuation from my previous posting called 'Reflections'.

Another Puffin from the Farne Islands, off the Northumberland coast in north-east England. While on the subject of the Farne Islands, I posted a workshop picture of the Guillemots nesting on the Basalt cliffs of Staple Island, just to give you an idea of the number of birds there.

I’ve been reading a lot about Puffins recently and found out that there are three subspecies, although I’ve only ever seen one:

Fratercula arctica (Atlantic Puffin)
Fratercula corniculata (Horned Puffin)
Fratercula cirrhata (Tufted Puffin)

The birds here belong to the arctica subspecies. Fratercula is latin for ‘little brother’ which I think adds even more to the appeal of these already very appealing birds.

As mentioned above, the common name puffin describes any of three auk species (or alcids) in the bird genus Fratercula with a brightly colored beak in the breeding season. These are pelagic (open-ocean) 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.

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.

Puffins are chunky birds with large bills. They shed the colourful outer parts of their bills after the mating season, leaving a smaller and duller beak. Their short wings are adapted for flying under water. In the air, they beat their wings rapidly (up to 100 times per minute) in swift flight, often flying *very* low over the ocean's surface.

Unlike many animals, puffins form long-term pair bonds. The female lays a single egg, and both parents incubate the egg and feed Puffin Junior. The incubating parent holds the egg against their brood path with their wings. Puffin Junior always fledges at night. After fledging, Junior spends the first few years of his or her life at sea, returning to breed after 3 - 6 years.

Exif info linked from photo info, didn't have enough room in the note.
Janice, horia, red45, soccer, Alex99, wkshelton, scottevers7, claudine, Dando, ramthakur, Anton, dew77, ddg, jmp, valy67, thor68, eruyanik, pilonm, ellis49, sAner, pablominto, lovenature, hekcik, liziafa, firelord, coasties has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To Shoot_Score: I knowaido 1 10-01 07:06
To sAner: Hi Pieteraido 1 07-23 12:49
To pilonm: Hi Michelaido 1 07-20 10:52
To Hil: Hi Hilaryaido 1 07-19 18:23
To olger: Hi Olgeraido 1 07-18 10:15
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Adrian,
What a beautiful photo of these two lovely Puffins. I really like your POV and the shallow DOF. I am amazed of the pose you have captured. It is so beautiful. Shaprness and colors are super and the light has done you well.
Excellent shot!!
TFS,
Niek

  • Great 
  • pvs Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1144 W: 254 N: 2546] (11539)
  • [2006-07-18 6:03]

Hi Adrian,

Again a very good composed puffin shot,I like the POV,the colors are great well exposed and a good BG,

well done and hope to see more puffins,

Regards,
Paul

  • Great 
  • olger Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 65 W: 0 N: 138] (744)
  • [2006-07-18 6:08]
  • [+]

This is a really good picture! I love it! The pose, the background, the sharpness, all good! I have made some pictures of puffins in iceland 2 weeks ago.. And they are lovely.. Can you get real close to them in England aswell? TFS!

Very nice picture! Very good focus
Excellent job!

TFS greetz Kristies

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3446 W: 144 N: 5883] (17434)
  • [2006-07-18 6:23]

Hi Adrian, what a cute photo of the Puffins. These dear little clowns, I love the look of these birds. This looks like a mirror image! Well captured, thank you
Janice

  • Great 
  • pac Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 84 W: 14 N: 158] (1729)
  • [2006-07-18 6:29]

I can understand Thor - these birds are so beatiful. And you catch them well!

Good job.

/Dan

  • Great 
  • jossim Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1676 W: 5 N: 2144] (11878)
  • [2006-07-18 6:38]

Bonjour Adrian!

Bravo pour ce magnifique portrait,la dédoublation est parfaite et crée un bel effet.
Merci.
joseph

  • Great 
  • Zeno Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 475 W: 0 N: 926] (7973)
  • [2006-07-18 6:42]

Hi Adrian,

The puffin is among my favourite birds. I like this one very much. Well composed, sharp details and nice colors.

TFS.

regards,
Zeno.

  • Great 
  • horia Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2078 W: 216 N: 3757] (12468)
  • [2006-07-18 6:45]

Mirror Mirror On the Wall, Who's the Fairest of Them All? :)
What a lovely shot, Adrian!
Splendid colors, magnificent choise of DOF and excellent POV.
You've done it once more...:)
Bravo and TFS
Horia

Adrian,

The DOF id really good on your pic. I like your POV, Composition and detail of the subject. TFS,
Sheriff

  • Great 
  • red45 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2828 W: 75 N: 8009] (26813)
  • [2006-07-18 7:03]

Hi Adrian!

Another fantastic double portrait! Puffins are superb subjects. Perfect DOF, colours, sharpness and pose. Congratulations!

Ciao Adrian, bellissima foto, colori stupendi, bravo!
Franco

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3030 W: 148 N: 4521] (14603)
  • [2006-07-18 7:41]

Hi Adrian.
It's a very funny and entertaining picture, quality of which, as usually, is faultlessly. The clearness of lines and subtlety of colours, especially BG, make strong impression. Excellent shot. My compliments. TFS.
Alexei.

Hello Adrian, what an excllent portrait, great colors, Bg, POV DOF perfect details, great work, TFS kyle

Hi Adrian,
WOW! this one rocks! Beautiful colors and detail in this shot. It does look like he is by a mirror with the Puffin in the foreground tack sharp and the other just being in the soft focus range. VERY, VERY, GOOD!
Scott

Congratulations Adrian what a nice composition and capture! L'effet de miroir est vraiment impressionnante tu as vraiment eu l'oeil aguisé pour en arriver à un aussi spectaculaire résultat. J'aime aussi l'effet dégradé du BG. TFS,

Claudine

  • Great 
  • Dando Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 643 W: 32 N: 790] (3052)
  • [2006-07-18 8:10]

Hi Adrian, another nice puffin shot. This one looks a bit like it is standing next to a mirror and the other one is the reflection in the mirror, or is the heat getting to me. NIce colours and exposure, they certainly do make nice pictures. Maybe one day I will get the chance to add one to my collection but for now I am quite content to admire your masterpieces. Well done and TFS.
Dean.

Your images of these birds are just adorable, Adrian.
This is the portrait of a perfect gentleman, prim and proper.
Great point of view, colours and details.
Thanks for sharing it.

  • Great 
  • Anton Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 50 W: 11 N: 161] (589)
  • [2006-07-18 10:34]

Adrian,
This is really a remarkable capture of this remarble birds. I like the DOF. The exposure and colour sturation is spot-on. Well done.
Regards
Anton.

Hi Adrian,
Beautiful picture. Well composed and pov. Great sharpness and exposure. Your workshop also very interesting. TFS
JC

  • Great 
  • ddg Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 880 W: 23 N: 927] (4993)
  • [2006-07-18 11:31]

Hello Adrian, very good shot of Puffins, thy are too cute!! Very good timing and great composition too. Best regards, Didier.

  • Great 
  • Scott Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 213 W: 0 N: 298] (1398)
  • [2006-07-18 12:03]

Adrian,

Difficult not to look at these birds or photographs, the colors and the way they are applied, I have seen them in the Resurrection Bay area of Alaska .. gorgeous ..

Scott

  • Great 
  • jmp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1836 W: 94 N: 2338] (8400)
  • [2006-07-18 13:31]

Hi Adrian,
Another very well achieved reflection! Very neat image, with exceptional sharpness, beautiful colors and fantastic background. A perfect portrait!
TFS, José M.

Hi Adrian,
A striking composition old boy :) It works very well..Everything looks great, from top to bottom. Very photogenic these birds..
Excellent camera work and,
Very Well Done!

  • Great 
  • dew77 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5171 W: 297 N: 4050] (13069)
  • [2006-07-19 3:28]

Excellent shot Adrian,
POV,details,sharpness,lighting,framing,composition...everything is perfect.
TFS...:-)

Hi Adrian !
Wow, splendid shot ! Details, colors, composition, POV, DOF, everything is simply perfect. Wonderful soft BG and fantastic textures. Looks like it is one puffin with two heads ! :-) very well done !
Valérie.

Hi Adrian,
Just time for a very quick visit.
Nice shot. Thanks for posting.

  • Great 
  • thor68 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 715 W: 115 N: 1032] (4581)
  • [2006-07-19 14:12]

Yeah, keep´em coming! :-))
thanks a bunch, adrian, wonderful puffins as usual!
i always wanted to see them since i read the adventure-series
by enid blyton about 25 years ago. *g* and i still did not
manage to see one...but, this is almost as good as seeing one live.
fantastic composition of the siamese-puffin-twins, perfect
sharpness on the one in the fg and a nice blurred one as a
"reflection" in the back and of course the beautiful black & white-color-combination.
thanks again & take care, thor.

  • Great 
  • Hil Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 744 W: 11 N: 1406] (4831)
  • [2006-07-19 17:50]
  • [+]

Hi Adrian

A lovely photo of two puffins (Like Thor I love puffins) I like sharpness of the one in front and the mirror effect.
Great Shot
TFS Hilary (my 1st critique)

Tricky you are! it's a great idea putting that mirror just behind it :-)Great bonus the other one! Superb again! i love its face and especially that yellow ornament near the beak. Such a lovely bird, pity that we have not them here in my country, i'm absolutely agree with Thorsten!
Ersin

  • Great 
  • Graal Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Silver Note Writer [C: 788 W: 31 N: 20] (5002)
  • [2006-07-20 3:30]

Hi Adrian,
great portrait, nice composition and colours. Interesting note. Unusual and beautiful the bird.
Rgs, Aleksander

Hello Adrian,

Another great picture from you :-))) You managed very well the exposure letting us see the different tones of white and black of the feathers! I like very much your pov (the 2 heads forming an exact 90 degree angle!) The nice bg compliments very greatly the birds! Great job and TFS, my friend!

Michel

Hi Adrian,
the mirror effect is amazing, did you brought a mirror?;-)
Lovely light and colours. The POV and pose are nice.
The shallow DOF is good, the birds standout nicely from the BG.
Great work.

  • Great 
  • sAner Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1654 W: 79 N: 1456] (4742)
  • [2006-07-22 5:28]
  • [+]

Hi Adrian,

This is a lovely and very sharp picture. The pose of the Puffin is nice and the details are razorsharp. I think the oof bird in the back is a little distracting, but that's just my personal taste. Good POV. Well done & TFS!

Regards,
Pieter

Hello Adrian,
A beautiful bird... in double!
Well framed, and good work on the macro part...
You reproduce the colours and details in your little feathered friend very well, what I like is the simplicity in coposition combined with the complixity of your subject!
Greetings,
Pablo -

  • Great 
  • TPAKT Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Silver Note Writer [C: 124 W: 22 N: 18] (79)
  • [2006-07-23 6:56]

Privet Adrian.
It seems, that he forks on two parts. Reminds cards - king, dama, etc. As always magnificent quality.

  • Great 
  • hekcik Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 330 W: 15 N: 305] (1823)
  • [2006-07-24 11:32]

Hi Adrian,

Again wonderful shot.
Excellent sharp, details, colors, light, DOF an POV. Very well done!

TFS :-)
Norbert

I think you picked a nice aperature for this beautiful shot the lighting worked great showing awesome colors and details. :)

  • Great 
  • HELO Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 106 W: 10 N: 58] (352)
  • [2006-07-28 4:06]

hello Adrian
cette oiseau est très très beau
j'aime bien on croirait qu'il est devant un miroire cela est très marent
sinon bons détails et belles couleurs
bravo
heloise

Hi Adrian,
Very good shot.
Very nice sharp and colors.
Very well done!
TFS Malgosia

  • Great 
  • wuta Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 871 W: 2 N: 606] (2034)
  • [2006-07-30 14:15]

Hello Adrian ,A very great shot from the puffins lovely, good colours sharp compositie lihgtpov and the bg ,tfs Greetings Teunie .

I AM GREEN WITH ENVY ! I have been trying for the past four years to get a hold of these "flying mini-penguins of the North", so far unsuccesfully. I saw hundreds of them off the Alaskan coast but my fishing boat was rocked by waves in full rain, I missed every shot. But back to your photo, they are adorable, good close up but not too intrusive.
THE CRITIQUE SCALE
Composition & POV : 10
Sharpness & DOF : 9
Light & color: 8
Creativity & Originality: 10

Best regards,
Xplorator (Radu F.)

  • Great 
  • Aramok Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 922 W: 99 N: 1396] (4799)
  • [2006-08-13 12:40]

Ah - you posted this one the day befor I went on holiday - so I missed it. But I did actually get to see some of my own on holiday, thoug the photos will never be anywhere near as good as yours.

Its almost like a mirror image, but not quite, and as usual you have caught the blacks and white superbly without killing either one of them on the exposure.

TFS
Emma

Hi Adrian

A beautiful photo. Technically perfect in my opinion. A pleasure to view. :-)

Adrian I found your puffins staring at me here


Some lil shyte who calls himself Musty has stolen oodles of photos from us < members at TrekNature >

Thought you would wanna know! I recognized your outstanding shot!
http://lemusty.multiply.com/photos/photo/22/35

PS I have added it to my list !!! STOLEN PHOTOS !!!

Hi Adrian,
I have to admit these are my favorites as well, its so wonderful to see photos of these cute little creatures! the expressions on their faces and the cubbiness is just a wonderful gift of nature! Beautiful shot with beautiful sharpness and like the oof puffin behind as well.! TFS
Donna:o)

Hi Adrian
A beautiful photo of the 2 puffins, such a quaint bird and the almost mirror image adds to this feeling of a creature from another world. I'd love to see one in the flesh!
Cheers
Lyndall

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