It's one thing to spot a Razorbill, but it's an entirely different experience to find yourself in a truly magical moment with a variety of seabirds. During a recent Deluxe Atlantic Puffins Galore Workshop, my group and I were in for a significant surprise. Despite my decades of experience, none of us were prepared for the incredibly rare conditions we encountered.

The scene was like something out of a dream: we were sitting on a beach, wrapped in a thick fog that created a sense of peaceful solitude. The water was perfectly still, like a sheet of glass, and a lone Razorbill floated just offshore. Before we knew it, the single bird was joined by a growing number of Puffins, more Razorbills, and even a few mother Common Eiders with their chicks. For over an hour, it was just us and a sea of beautiful birds. The excitement was absolutely palpable!

Capturing the Moment

To get the perfect shot in moments like these, it's all about perspective. I knew I had to get my camera as low as possible to capture the birds at water level. I rotated the lens foot to the top of the lens, using it as a handle to suspend the camera just above the water's surface. My lens hood got a little wet, but it was worth it. I rotated the flip-out LCD screen to view and frame the image—a tricky maneuver that I make sound easier than it may be.

More Kudos

“Looking forward to that magical puffin island? Well, Chris has found it! Eat, sleep and photograph puffins! Just a short walk from your accommodations are puffins! And more puffins! Staying on island with the puffins maximizes your time with them. The food is amazing! And Chris knows the island, and best places to be for the best shot. What a wonderful experience!”

- Anita Wooldridge Colorado | USA Deluxe Atlantic Puffins Galore Workshop August 2025