Puffins Courtship Displaying

This image was taken on Skomer Island, Wales. When the puffins first arrive back at their breeding colonies they start re-establishing the bond between them. One of the rarest forms of this courtship bonding is just prior to mating. The male rapidly vibrates his wings which stimulates the female to allow him to mate. I witnessed this behaviour in the late evening and the light was exquisite as it highlighted the male’s wing feathers.

Canon EOS-1DX, EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4x III, 1/200 Sec, f/5.6, ISO 400

Gitzo 3 series tripod