Project 52: Week 28, Puffins

[billtils]

Posting early this week. Spent Saturday on a visit to the Isle of May, mainly to get some Puffin photos. First up, a couple of "In flight" ones. Disappointed that there wasn't one where the bird had some sand eels in its beak, but given their size and how quickly they move, I was more than happy with these two:









However, there were several opportunities for static "sand-eel-in-the-beak" shots, including this one:

[Shadowman]

Nice series.

[skitterbug]

Hi Bill - Good photos for sure! In the third pic, does the puffin have two eels stuffed in its beak? <lol> These birds definitely have interesting eyes too.

[billtils]

Hi Bill - Good photos for sure! In the third pic, does the puffin have two eels stuffed in its beak? <lol>

Thanks Sandy - yes it does! According to wikipedia "The puffins are distinct in their ability to hold several (sometimes over a dozen) small fish at a time, crosswise in their bill, rather than regurgitating swallowed fish. This allows them to take longer foraging trips, since they can come back with more food energy for their chick than a bird that can only carry one fish at a time. This behaviour is made possible by the unique hinging mechanism of their beak, which allows the upper and lower biting edges to meet at any of a number of angles."

[billtils]

Thanks John

[skitterbug]

Thanks for the information Bill. It would be more fun to watch a puffin feed its chicks than a bird that has to regurgitate its food for its chicks. Seems less messy to me! <chuckle>