The Petit Manan Lighthouse island is a part of the Maine Coastal Island National Wildlife Refuge, and hosts a healthy colony of nesting Puffins. These small birds (less than 12 inches) nest in burrows in colonies. Below is a link from the US Fish and Wildlife Service about a study of the Petit Manan birds.Petit Manan Puffins<\/p>\n<\/p>\n The Maine Coastal Island NWR includes over 8000 acres along 150 miles of Maine coastline…both on islands and on the mainland.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n The lighthouse is about 8 miles out to sea from the Milbridge, Maine town landing. After a great picnic, we launched two boats with 13 family and friend Puffins watchers on a drizzly and foggy day in early August. The birds are so small it was hard to get good photos, even with a 300mm telephoto lens….but they were great to watch through binoculars. Below is a link of some great photos of Petit Manan seabirds.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Lots of lighthouses in Downeast Maine. Below is a link to the Maine Lighthouse Trail….be sure to visit them all.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Cold, wet, foggy….Polar Fleece and Gore Tex in August! Captain and brother-in-law Andy, Grampy Doug Sr and sister-in-law Allison braving the weather. Mark Twain said he once observed 128 kinds of weather in Maine in a 24 hour period!<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Pelagic (open ocean) birds are some of the most interesting species, but often difficult to observe and photograph. Ever try to hold a long lens steady on a rocking boat to “shoot” a small bird bobbing in the ocean 50 yards away?Alcids in the Northern Hemisphere GREAT PHOTOS!<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Brother-in-law Nat and wife Dianeenjoying the Puffin show.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
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