Razorbill Auk -- Machais Seal Island, Maine: Perhaps I should say Machais Seal Island, Canada. Machais Seal is claimed by both Canada and the United States. The claim by both countries was established over a hundred years ago. By claimming the island, fishing rights of the respective nations were extended further out to sea.
The Canadians have turned the island into a wildlife refuge and maintains the only manned lighthouse in the Canadian system on the island. Canadian biologist work on the island as well. Fortunaly neither the United States nor Canada have started a war on who really owns Machais Seal Island. When I see the island it is obvious that it is owned by the seabirds. I hope that it will always be so!
There is never a lack of subject or action on the island. Birds are constantly coming and going, squabbling between birds is never ending, and preening and wing flapping is a favorite pastime. This Razorbill Auk, one of many milling around the blind hopped on a rock in front of me and began to stretch and flap its wings.
Razorbills are not easy to photograph. The razorbill is a white brested, brown-black bird with dark eyes. If the light does not fall on the bird just right, the eyes disappears into the dark feathers. On my recent trip I had the opportunity to shoot numerous razorbills and was fortunate to capture the birds as they turned their heads at just the right angle to the light to illuminate and show detail in the eyes.
I love it when all the elements come together to create a harmonious image!
Nikon D300, Nikkor 500mm f4, Digital Capture, ISO 200
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