19th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Puffin with fish

Photo was taken during the stay in Drangey island, Iceland. A Puffin carries many spices of fish in its mouth to take back to its hungry chick. Puffins have spiny tongues pressing against the roof of their mouths which help to hold ten or more fish at once without losing any along the way. Parents of the "baby" (called puffing) take turns bringing food back to the nest. They hunt a variety of small fish including herring, hake, capelin and sand lance. It was very challenging to capture the photo I wanted. I was waiting for perfect moment and light. I had to fight with my fear of hights and survive during the very rough ride by boat in the ocean ( having a motion sickness). I'm very happy with the outcome.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 07.2021
Date Uploaded: 11.2021
Photo Location: Iceland
Camera: NIKON D850
Copyright: © Agnieszka Wieczorek