Shooting puffins was one of the highlights that I hoped for during our stay in Iceland. In 2017, we were already able to visit puffins at different spots of this country. For good perspectives and golden light I think the spots in the North East of Iceland are perfect. So, we decided to stay for three days to have enough time for taking some good pictures of these cute birds.
Two years ago, I only had the 200mm lens with me. Well, to get some sharp images, this is absolutely fine, because some of these birds come very near. But to create special background colours with a good bokeh, I was glad to use a real super tele lens this time: The 600mm/4, which I got one month before.
The conditions were great. We had the best light for two whole nights – it was calm and the light was soft – just perfect. Combined with the position of trock on which they are living, it was possible to create extreme colours, because the puffins were shadowed while the nature of the land in the background was illumined with the best light for hours each night.
Not only the photographic results of our stay were satisfying – it was really amazing to watch these birds and their behavior. They live in small caves in the marshlands of the rocky coast. The can “fly” under water to hunt their prey (mainly sandlances). Therefore, they dive up to a depth of 50 meters. When they come back to their „home“ the landing is quite funny to watch. Often they tumble for a couple of meters. Besides they wiggle their head and make curious noises. Altogether you never get bored watching puffins 😉.
Enough words for today, now have fun with the pictures.
Best regards,
Thomas
