Where is best for puffins?

darraghsherwin

Hi,

I was down on the Saltees today to try get a few puffin shoots, but the puffins were all out at sea. And even so there was very few of them but maybe I was looking in the wrong place.
So where is the best place to shoot puffins in Ireland - Saltees, Irelands Eye, Rathlin, Skeiligs?

Thanks
Darragh

Carrigman

I was there today too Darragh. You weren't looking in the wrong place - they just were not there in any numbers. I saw only two.

Valentia

On the Skelligs too, there can be days when you are falling over them or they can be off gallavanting with very few on view.

darraghsherwin

Has anybody seen Puffins on Ireland's Eye this season?

Darragh

Carrigman

In Newry today I was speaking to a lady whose husband works for the RSPB. He was on Rathlin Island on Saturday and the Puffins were plentiful. Too far north for me though.

Paulw

I've been to Rathlin Island. Don't waste your time. You may see puffin, but through telescopes. Not near enough to photograph without 1200mm + lens.

You can get to the top of a cliff, and they're near the bottom.

They are plentiful there, but you can't get near enough to photograph them.

Arciphel

I got a good few shots of some puffins on the Saltees on Sunday ...

Flickr pimpage, the full set (>70 images) is here --> http://www.flickr.com/photos/arciphel/sets/72157605403769111/

Valentia

Arciphel wrote: »

I got a good few shots of some puffins on the es on Sunday ../quote]

The colours are way off. What colourspace were you using? The copyright notice doesn't help either. A basic photoshopper could take it out in a minute.

The shots would look really good if the colours were corrected methinks.

kensutz

I agree, the colours in the photos are weird to say the least.

Arciphel

Lads,

We are talking about where to find puffins, I wasn't asking for C&C.

Valentia

Arciphel wrote: »

Lads,

We are talking about where to find puffins, I wasn't asking for C&C.

Huh?? I know but it would have been impossible, for me anyway, not to comment the colours are so weird. I don't think I have ever seen colours so off here before.

Arciphel

Valentia, to answer your question, I am using sRGB colourspace from camera to PC to printer, calibrated using a Pantone Huey. The pictures have been processed in Lightroom - I must just like "weird" colours! :pac::pac:

darraghsherwin

Arciphel,

Where did you see the puffins on the island?

Darragh

Arciphel

Hiya Darragh,

Not sure how to describe it, but i'll try! When we came off the boat we walked straight ahead and then to the right past the house, then left again to bring us to the throne. Then we turned left and on the second of third cliff section theres a slope down, at the bottom we turned right and were close to the first puffin. He flew away, then another one arrived ten mins later as we were sitting there having a swig of water. Pure luck!

Try this image, might be a better explanation of where i'm talking about. The number 2 below is the Gannet colony on the huge rock called Makeston Rock. The Puffins were just across from this on the island itself. Hope this helps...

Was on the Skeilig on Saturday, and lots of puffins, both on the ground and in the air, some were within a couple of feet from the path, and didn't seem bothered by the people walking by.

darraghsherwin

Arciphel,

Thanks for that, I went right when I got to the throne and went towards the other gannet colony.
I might head back down in a week or 2 to try another crack at it

Thanks
Darragh

Arciphel

No probs Darragh, as i said i was just in the right place at the right time, maybe you will be lucky like i was. Was my first time out there (and i've got the sunburn to prove it) but will definetely be going back out later in the summer. Is there any specific time later on when it's good to go out?

Dades

Am going to be driving around Kerry in a few weeks...
Are the Skelligs the only spot in the southwest where one might see a puffin?!

I hope not as I don't fancy my chances of getting my pregnant wife on a boat there. :pac:

darraghsherwin

I went back to the Saltee Islands today with a 2 other lads and I finally managed to get some puffin in the last hour I was on the island
This is my first shot processed of Puffins


They must be out feeding during the day, that's why we aren't seeing many of them.

Darragh

Paulw

Brilliant photo. I look forward to seeing the rest.

I'm looking forward to my visit to the Saltee Islands in the coming weeks.

GristlyEnd

I was on Ireland's Eye today and found a few Puffins.

RoryW

I see Darren that the 300mm 2.8 has come out of mothballs ....