Maria Mazo, PPSA  

Puffin by Maria Mazo, PPSA

April 2026 - Puffin

April 2026 - Maria Mazo, PPSA

Original

About the Image(s)

During the month of February, several Atlantic storms affected the north of Europe. As a result, birds that are not usually seen in the north of Spain appeared along the beaches. Many of them were found dead, although a few were still alive. Rescue organisations such as SEO/BirdLife have been working to save them and keep them alive. However, one of the main challenges they faced was feeding the birds, as many refused to eat. The survival rate has been very low, and the birds that did survive were released once they regained their strength. I photographed this puffin on the beach of my town. It showed signs of fatigue, as it barely moved and remained on the sand even when people were nearby. EXIF data: Shutter speed - 1/500 sec; Aperture - f/9; ISO - 1250. Shot with a Canon body and a 200??“800 mm lens at 570 mm.

6 comments posted

Steve Cole   Steve Cole
A sad story but one of reality in the world of nature. I imagine it was very difficult to observe. Do you know if this one survived? Don't know if I would have had the courage to capture this moment of stress. Thanks for your communities efforts.   Posted: 04/07/2026 14:08:32
Maria Mazo   Maria Mazo
Hi Steve,
Unfortunately, I don't know what happened with this one. I returned in the afternoon to take a look to see if it was still there, but I couldn't find it, and there was no clue about what might have happened to it.   Posted: 04/14/2026 21:07:53
Jerry Biddlecom   Jerry Biddlecom
A portrait of nature during a harsh moment, but as Steve notes, there are times when it is just stark reality. As far as your image goes, perhaps you might try selecting out and then brightening the dark areas on the bird (especially on the head) so as to reveal more detail. Normally Puffins have brightly colorful beaks -- was this bird's color subdued because of its dire circumstances? Maybe too much negative space at the top of the picture? You made the most of a poor situation.   Posted: 04/09/2026 16:15:04
Maria Mazo   Maria Mazo
Hi Jerry,
This was my first time seeing a puffin, and as you pointed out, I also had the image in my mind of a bright, colourful beak. However, this one surprised me with the more muted colours in its beak. Apparently, there are different species of puffins, ranging from the more colourful ones to others with more subdued tones.   Posted: 04/14/2026 21:12:36
Cindy Marple   Cindy Marple
The colorful beak of puffins is "breeding plumage". They shed the colorful outer layer and are dull like this in non-breeding season.
This had to have been very hard to see. Sad that so many are affected by the storms.
You've done a really nice job of capturing it. I like your framing, putting it low with the expanse behind the bird. The eye looks dull, befitting its sad situation. For me there's plenty of detail in the black feathers.   Posted: 04/16/2026 17:26:30
Adrian Binney   Adrian Binney
Maria, your image cries out 'something's wrong', with it sat down clearly in daylight amongst debris - just not normal! It's an Atlantic Puffin breeding on most coastal area both sides of the Atlantic further north and spends winters at sea (down to North Africa). It rarely is seen either from or on land in winter. Bay of Biscay (off north Spain) is noteworthy for bad winds - so that north Spanish coast may be an exception.

I like your image. It's a sad one and thus I feel the image shouldn't be bright and cheerful.

We saw a puffin in the sea on 30 January as our cruise ship (which was delayed day and half leaving South England due to horrendous storms of Spain).   Posted: 04/19/2026 07:13:52

 

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