This is the largest seabird in the North Atlantic with a 38 inch wingspan. I have visited Machias Seal Island for Puffin photography several times but have only seen these birds once. Like the Puffin, they are seabirds so are not frequently seen on shore except to breed. Their summer range is off the Coast of the Canadian Maritimes so I feel fortunate to have photographed this beautiful bird from Machias Seal Island. I had no idea what it was, just that it was big, beautiful and I had never seen one before!!!

“Look what I brought you. We’re going to eat like kings!”

Harbor Seals tend to rest in familiar areas, also know as “Haul-Out” sites. I photographed this gorgeous Harbor Seal off the coast of Machias Seal Island, Maine in the North Atlantic Ocean. They swim in when the tide is high and are left to bask and rest when the tide goes out. They do their fishing on the high tide. The cold water of the Gulf of Maine leads to frequent fog in the summer but the cold water, holding more dissolved oxygen, leads to abundant fish for the seals. This image was captured from a boat and was very difficult because it was foggy with dim light combined with the movement of the boat!

This is the Little River Lighthouse at Cutler Harbor, Maine. It is decorated for the Fourth of July with American Flags in this image. This current lighthouse structure was built in 1876 and is now privately owned and maintained by the New England Lighthouse Foundation. It was restored in 2001 and is located on an island just off the coast of Cutler, Maine. It is available for overnight stays or day trips.