Behind the Stunning Photo of a Puffin Gorging on Fish
Discover the story behind this 2017 National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year entry.
“I primarily photograph birds,” says National Geographic Your Shot photographer and computer engineer by day Sunil Gopalan. “I had photographed two other species of puffins (horned and tufted) before in Alaska, and the only one that was remaining on my list was the Atlantic puffin.”
Gopalan says this particular species of puffin can be found on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, but he wanted to find a remote location to shoot photos of them—the less people the better. After conducting some research, he settled on the small island of Fair Isle off the coast of Shetland, in northern Scotland. (Watch a curious puffin befriend a human.)
Shetland’s website calls itself famous for its “birds, knitwear, and historic shipwrecks.” Fair Isle can only be reached by means of a four-hour ferry ride, or a small twin-engine plane, making it a relatively unfrequented, albeit ruggedly beautiful, destination.
Gopalan’s travels took him from the Midwestern United States to Glasgow to Sumburgh, where he boarded a small aircraft to his puffin paradise. While most of his time spent on the island yielded ideal weather, one rainy morning gave him the opportunity to capture something a bit different. Gopalan was thinking about eating breakfast when a rain-drenched puffin appeared carrying a meal of its own.
This was his moment to act, and he snapped photo after photo. The result: stunning portraits of the wild bird with a bountiful feast of tiny fish in its bill, making its way back to bring the haul to its hungry chick. He submitted his best shot online in hopes of being named the 2017 National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year.
Atlantic puffins spend most of their lives at sea, returning to land only to form breeding colonies during spring and summer. The Atlantic puffin’s beak appears a dull shade of grey during winter, but it changes to a bright orange when spring returns. This change earns it a nickname of “sea parrot.”
When Gopalan visited Fair Isle in July, puffin mothers had already laid their eggs (usually one per nest) upon the rocky, North Atlantic cliffs. During this time, parents take turns feeding their chicks small fish that they catch in their spacious bills. (Watch a baby puffin perform its first solo swim.)
Extremely agile birds, Atlantic puffins steer through the water with rudderlike webbed feet, and dive to depths of up to 200 feet. They typically hunt small fish such as herring or sand eels, and they fly back to their nests at a rapid speed of 400 flaps per minute, reaching speeds up to 55 miles per hour. (See a video of young Icelandic puffins who were saved by children.)
The challenge of shooting speedy birds such as the Atlantic puffin is precisely what makes them his favorite photographic subject, and it drives Gopalan to travel as frequently as possible, to try to capture new species from around the world. He then submits his favorite images on Your Shot. Says Gopalan, “National Geographic is the gold standard for nature enthusiasts. I recall reading old copies of the magazine and imagining what it might be like to go on assignment.”
He says Your Shot is a great way to be involved in the photographic community, and that he is able to keep great company by interacting with other photographers on the platform. “That is the kind of inspiration that everyone needs in order to keep doing better, and the Nature Photographer competition is the highest of bars to aspire for,” he says.
See more of Sunil Gopalan’s work at http://www.sunilsphotos.com/
Think you have the winning photo? Enter your best nature photography for a chance to be named the 2017 National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year.
Related Topics
You May Also Like
Go Further
Animals
- Fireflies are nature’s light show at this West Virginia state parkFireflies are nature’s light show at this West Virginia state park
- These are the weird reasons octopuses change shape and colorThese are the weird reasons octopuses change shape and color
- Why young scientists want you to care about 'scary' speciesWhy young scientists want you to care about 'scary' species
- What rising temperatures in the Gulf of Maine mean for wildlifeWhat rising temperatures in the Gulf of Maine mean for wildlife
- He’s called ‘omacha,’ a dolphin that transforms into a man. Why?He’s called ‘omacha,’ a dolphin that transforms into a man. Why?
Environment
- What rising temperatures in the Gulf of Maine mean for wildlifeWhat rising temperatures in the Gulf of Maine mean for wildlife
- He’s called ‘omacha,’ a dolphin that transforms into a man. Why?He’s called ‘omacha,’ a dolphin that transforms into a man. Why?
- The northernmost flower living at the top of the worldThe northernmost flower living at the top of the world
- This beautiful floating flower is wreaking havoc on NigeriaThis beautiful floating flower is wreaking havoc on Nigeria
- What the Aral Sea might teach us about life after disasterWhat the Aral Sea might teach us about life after disaster
History & Culture
- Scientists find evidence of ancient waterway beside Egypt’s pyramidsScientists find evidence of ancient waterway beside Egypt’s pyramids
- This thriving society vanished into thin air. What happened?This thriving society vanished into thin air. What happened?
Science
- Why pickleball is so good for your body and your mindWhy pickleball is so good for your body and your mind
- Extreme heat can be deadly – here’s how to know if you’re at riskExtreme heat can be deadly – here’s how to know if you’re at risk
- Why dopamine drives you to do hard things—even without a rewardWhy dopamine drives you to do hard things—even without a reward
- What will astronauts use to drive across the Moon?What will astronauts use to drive across the Moon?
- Oral contraceptives may help lower the risk of sports injuriesOral contraceptives may help lower the risk of sports injuries
- How stressed are you? Answer these 10 questions to find out.
- Science
How stressed are you? Answer these 10 questions to find out.
Travel
- The best long-distance Alpine hike you've never heard ofThe best long-distance Alpine hike you've never heard of
- Fireflies are nature’s light show at this West Virginia state parkFireflies are nature’s light show at this West Virginia state park
- How to explore the highlights of Italy's dazzling Lake ComoHow to explore the highlights of Italy's dazzling Lake Como
- Going on a cruise? Here’s how to stay healthy onboardGoing on a cruise? Here’s how to stay healthy onboard