Skellig Puffins

The Lovable Puffin

MichaelStephenWills

Each of the 603 steps between the Skellig Michael dock and the monastery evoked contemplation, caution, wonder and gratitude.

  • Contemplation: how did the monks manage to survive while placing the steps?  It can only be by a careful division of labor once a survival tripod was build.  By tripod I mean the basics food, shelter, warmth.
  • Caution: as with any steps, for a 60+ person I have learned the hard way falls take a long time to recover from.
  • Gratitude: for the opportunity, growth and knowledge afforded by travel.
  • Wonder: every step offered a new vantage and discovery.

Puffins were on my mind for most of the lower steps being immediately at hand, almost underfoot, constantly.  Underfoot, not in a obnoxious way.  Underfoot in being right there, unabashed, going about the business of life.  Pam and I were lucky, Puffin wise, for the weather.  Sensible birds, when the visibility is low Puffins stay close to the burrow, making improvements and socialize with neighbors.

Puffins of Michael Skellig

Bad News: Atlantic Puffin populations are on a precipitous decline across Ireland and British Islands.  There are talks of a population collapse.  Researchers enlisted assistance from wildlife photography enthusiasts with outstanding results released in 2017.  The photographs showed parents returning with less nutritious fish.  The stress on Puffin populations follows the decline of fish stocks from over fishing.  I listed two references at the end of this post.

The disturbing element to our experience was not one of the birds flew in with a catch.  On second thought, this is not unexpected.  Late May the eggs are laid and under incubation.  The individuals in these photographs were feeding only themselves.  If we returned mid-June there would be chicks to feed.

Puffins of Michael Skellig
Puffin with an inquisitive attitude

Why do we love Puffins?  We see reminders of ourselves.  The expressive large eyes, over a striking beak and there is something expressive about the birds’ body movements.  Don’t you almost know what’s on the mind of this fellow?  “What’s going on, over there?”

Puffins of Michael Skellig
A colony of nesting puffins on a flowering cliff of green.

Puffins are small birds, the size of a human hand.  This colony returned in late March or early April, each breeding pair claiming a nesting site.  The coloring of the beak happens during breeding.  The bird molts while at sea during the winter, the beak and other brightly colored facial characteristics are lost.

Social Puffin
Michael Skellig puffins in social setting on cliff with burrows and flowers.

Puffin sexual differentiation is unique among birds.  The coloring and markings are identical between males and females.  Males are somewhat larger than females is all.

Puffins of Michael Skellig
Soft soil covering the flanks of Skellig Michael is the site of age old Puffin colonies.

Here is Puffin nesting behavior up close.  I did some research on the flowering plants surrounding the burrows and am not sure.  I believe the white flowers are a mixture of Sea Campion and Sea Mayweed.

As far as my photographic technique.  There are two sets of Puffin shots from Skellig Michael.  For the the walk to the top, the monastery site, I used the lighter Sony Alpha A700 dslr with a Sony variable lens, DT 18-200 mm F3.5 – 6.3.  On top, I switched to the Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III and, for the descent, fitted a Canon EF 200mm f/2.8L USM lens.

The shot above and following are the Canon, taken on descent.  Prior shots are the Sony, taken on ascent.

Puffins of Michael Skellig
Puffin Entering Burrow

Puffins have striking black and white plumage and leg color some describe as “tangerine.”  Tangerine?  I guess.  Here an individual ducks into the burrow.

Puffins of Michael Skellig
A grouping of Michael Skellig puffins, the foremost with an attitude of regard.

I did not spend a great deal of time in any one spot, being time limited and needing to get back to the boat.  Don’t recall very much social interactions between individuals, other than this perching together on the rocks.  The foreground Puffin seems to take the behavior of another bird to task.

Puffins of Michael Skellig
Puffins are capable, if awkward, fliers.
Click for another Ireland Posting, “On the River Cong.”
 
References
Puffins and Technology
Clues to the Puffin Population Decline

Copyright 2022 Michael Stephen Wills All Rights Reserves

34 thoughts on “Skellig Puffins”

  1. I enjoyed this precipitous walk with the puffins, Michael, though admittedly I was glad to not have to be on the slippery slopes with camera equipment. Thank you for taking us there. I would love to see puffins up this close, I have only seen them in the water from a distance. This was really wonderful, thank you. Your photos of their behavior, interaction, and beauty are lovely.

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  9. Beautiful images, Michael, of these adorable looking birds. I didn’t know they lost their ‘tangerine’ colouring during the winter, though it does make sense; so many bird species brighten up their plumage/characteristics during the mating season.
    You’ve certainly visited some wonderfully adventurous nooks.

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      1. Yes, I found that interesting, too. So often the fellas get the ‘pretty markings/colouration; however, not so with these guys! They are certainly a very handsome bird; I’ve always admired them.

        Liked by 1 person

    1. An interesting question, Puffins in captivity. This is likely how the species will survive, given the current trends. I did a google search, Puffins in Zoos, and came up with a number of hits…yes, Puffins do exist in captivity. Thanks for visiting, Silver Screenings.

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  15. a great walk, not one I’d want to do with my camera etc. so loved your pics. the one word you used contemplation stuck with me.. I try to remember each day to add contemplation to my woodland walks. waves a good morning your way…

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  16. Dear Michael
    We love Puffins as well and photographed them on cliffs of the coast NE Scotland and on the W coast of southern Greenland. Great photographs and well explained what we are seeing. Thanks a lot šŸ™ šŸ™
    With kind regards
    The Fab Four of Cley
    šŸ™‚ šŸ™‚ šŸ™‚ šŸ™‚

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  18. Amazing pictures! We love puffins and saw a few this fall in Newfoundland but we were a little late in the season and there were only a few stragglers left. I guess we have to go back šŸ˜Š

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  19. I saw Puffins in Alaska, and fell in love with them immediately. For years, I carried an enameled key chair fob with two puffins on it. Eventually, the image disintegrated, but the memories certainly haven’t.

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