Thursday, October 16, 2014

Concerning Puffins: We are starting descent

I've been neglecting our friends the puffins. About time to see what these guys are up to. This boulder appears to be a 'popular' landing spot for a colony. Notice the puffin cam near the center of the screenshot (slightly to the left of the center). 

It's interesting to see how the various birds are holding themselves. Some of them are standing up looking around, almost like lookouts. I believe some larger birds of prey enjoy a puffin snack on occasion. Other birds are nestled up, some almost look like they've belly flopped onto the ledge.

 Notice the flying puffin in the upper right corner. Puffins have a very interesting way of landing (I've seen them in the wild).
Almost there. What I wasn't able to capture, was how fast puffins move their wings. They are not graceful gliders, like raptors, they flap rapidly so that they can stay in the air. They are not known to be long distance flyers. Migration consists of them bobbing around in the ocean.
 Notice how the puffin has landed. Similar to us, it uses its wings to try and balance itself. Increase the surface area. What is hard to see here, is sometimes puffins will just fall feet first the last couple of feet, especially in cliffed areas.
I'm wondering what the temperature is there. That may reveal why some of the puffins are nestled up whereas others aren't. I'm thinking nestling up, is a very effective way to preserve heat. However, this could also be the way that puffins rest/sleep.

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