Auk Collection

Pinguinus impennis, great auk
Oil painting on canvas by John Gerrad Keulemans (undated). 229 x 205

Atlantic puffin (Fratercula arctica) landing, wings outstretched. Machias Seal Island, off the coast of Maine, USA. July

Atlantic puffin (Fratercula arctica) close up of head, Fair Isle, Shetland, Scotland, UK, July

Atlantic Puffins (Fratercula arctica) bill rubbing, Skomer Island, Wales, UK, April

Puffin, Fratercula artctica, displaying, Inner Farne, Farne Islands, Northumberland, June

Puffin (Fratercula arctica) standing on flowering Sea thrift (Armeria maritima). Portrait. Fair Island, Shetland Islands, Scotland, July

Great Auk Extinct
The great auk or awk (PINGUINUS IMPENNIS) who lost its final battle for survival on a small island off Iceland in 1844, primarily due to over-hunting

Ireland. Skellig Michael Island. European Westernmost Point. UNESCO World Heritage
Ireland. Skellig Michael Island. Europes westernmost point. UNESCO World Heritage Site

Pinguinus impennis, great auk
1 of 6 shots of Dr Leachs 139 great auk (Pinguinus impennis) egg held in the Natural History Museum at Tring. The great auk was hunted to extinction in the middle of the 19th Century

Puffin (Fratercula arctica) on a cliff edge with flowering sea thrift (Armeria maritima) Great Saltee, Saltee Islands, County Wexford, Ireland, June

Atlantic Puffins (Fratercula arctica) flying near cliff top, Isle of Lunga, Isle of Mull, Treshnish Isles, Scotland, UK, June

Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica) one landing among resting group, Sule Skerry, Scotland, UK, July

Atlantic Puffins (Fratercula arctica) pair bill rubbing, part of ritual courtship, Skomer Island, Wales, UK, May

Puffin (Fratercula arctica) billing Shetland Scotland June

Puffin (Fratercula arctica) Shetland Scotland June

Picture No. 11982140
Black Guillemot - adult bird in breeding plumage - Svalbard, Norway Date:

Little Auk (Alle alle) adult, summer plumage, calling, sitting on rock, Svalbard, july

Puffin Fratercula arctica Sumburgh Head Shetland June

Picture No. 12019865
Atlantic Puffin - ready to sleep on cliffs - Scotland, United Kingdom.. Date:

Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica) adult, with sandeels and seaweed in beak, standing on rock, Inner Farne, Farne Islands, Northumberland, England, july

Atlantic puffin with sand eels in its bill. Atlantic puffins (Fratercula arctica) feed primarily on fish and breed on the coasts of northern Europe, the Faroe Islands

Alkefjellet cliffs full of breeding Brunnich's guillemots, Uria lomvia. Nordaustlandet, Svalbard, Norway

Alkefjellet cliffs full of breeding Brunnich's guillemots, Uria lomvia. Nordaustlandet, Svalbard, Norway

Puffins (Fratercula arctica) swimming underwater. Puffins spend most of their lives at sea and are excellent underwater swimmers, which is how they catch small fish, their main food

Puffins (Fratercula arctica) Shaint Isles, Scotland, UK, June

Crested auklets (Aethia cristatella) pair interacting while perched on rock, St Paul Island, Pribilofs, Alaska, USA, July

Horned puffins (Fratercula corniculata), one landing with outspread wings, to join its mate on cliff ledge, St. Paul Island, Pribilofs, Alaska, USA, July

Puffins (Fratercula arctica) and Razorbills (Alca torda) with Eilean Mhuire behind, Shiant Isles, Outer Hebrides, Scotland, UK. June, 2018

Atlantic puffin (Fratercula arctica) portrait with beak open / calling. Shetland Islands
Atlantic puffin (Fratercula arctica) portrait with beak open/calling. Shetland Islands, Scotland, July

Razorbill (Alca torda) landing, Great Saltee Island, County Wexford, Ireland, June

Puffin (Fratercula arctica) wings spread backlit, Great Saltee Island, County Wexford, Republic of Ireland, June

Black Guillemot
A photograph of an original hand-colored engraving from The History of British Birds by Morris published in 1853-1891

Atlantic puffin (Fratercula arctica) in flight, Machias Seal Island off the coast of Maine, USA, July

Atlantic puffins (Fratercula arctica) amongst flowering Sea campion (Silene uniflora), Skomer Island, Pembrokeshire, Wales, UK. May

Puffin (Fratercula arctica) standing on Sea thrift (Armeria maritima) with wings out stretched with a beak full of sand eels. Close-up portrait. Fair Island, Shetland Islands, Scotland, July

Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica) in flight, coming into land with beak full of sand eels (Ammodytes tobianus). Fair Isle, Shetland Islands, Scotland, UK, July

Atlantic puffin (Fratercula arctica) amongst flowering Sea campion (Silene uniflora), Skomer Island, Pembrokeshire, Wales, UK. May

RF - Puffins (Fratercula arctica) pair, resting on cliffside among flowering Sea thrift (Armeria maritima), Great Saltee Island, County Wexford, Republic of Ireland. May

RF - Atlantic Puffins (Fratercula arctica) flying on to the cliff top and gathering around burrows. Isle of Lunga, Treshnish Isles, Isle of Mull, Scotland

Atlantic puffin (Fratercula arctica) taking off, Machias Seal Island, Maine, USA, June

Atlantic puffin (Fratercula arctica) swimming on the ocean surface, Svalbard, Norway, June

Brunnichs guillemot (Uria lomvia) colony in mist, many birds in flight and nesting on cliffs. Svalbard, Norway, July 2018

Tufted puffin (Fratercula cirrhata), adult in breeding plumage flying in preparing to land, St. Paul, Pribilof Islands, Alaska, USA, July

Horned Puffin (Fratercula corniculata) flying over a pattern of kelp and sea foam, photographed from above, St. Paul, Pribilof Islands, Alaska, USA. July

Razorbill (Alca torda) perched on lichen covered rock. Great Saltee Island, Saltee Islands, County Wexford, Republic of Ireland. June

Razorbill (Alca torda) group, Great Saltee Island, County Wexford, Ireland. June

Atlantic puffic, (Fratercula arctica), Machias Seal Island, Bay of Fundy, New Brunswick, Canada, August

Atlantic puffic, (Fratercula arctica) portrait. Machias Seal Island, Bay of Fundy, New Brunswick, Canada, August

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"Auk: Majestic Birds of the Atlantic" Witness the breathtaking sight of an Atlantic puffin, with wings outstretched, gracefully landing on Machias Seal Island. These adorable creatures, scientifically known as Fratercula arctica, captivate us with their vibrant beaks and distinctive markings. On Skomer Island in Wales, UK, we catch a glimpse of these Atlantic puffins engaging in a unique behavior - bill rubbing. This ritualistic courtship display showcases their affectionate nature and strengthens their bond. Zooming in on Fair Isle in Shetland, Scotland, we are enchanted by a close-up shot of an Atlantic puffin's head. Its striking features and soulful eyes remind us why they hold such fascination for bird enthusiasts worldwide. In another stunning image captured on flowering Sea thrift (Armeria maritima), a puffin stands tall as if posing for a portrait. The contrast between its vibrant plumage and the delicate blooms creates an exquisite scene that epitomizes nature's beauty. While exploring Ireland's Skellig Michael Island – Europe's westernmost point recognized by UNESCO World Heritage – our thoughts turn to the great auk (Pinguinus impennis). Sadly extinct now, this magnificent species once graced these shores with its presence. Returning to present-day encounters with Atlantic puffins during courtship season reveals more intimate moments. A pair engages in bill rubbing as part of their elaborate mating dance – an enchanting display that symbolizes love and commitment within their community. Perched precariously on a cliff edge adorned with sea thrift flowers (Armeria maritima), another puffin strikes a pose against the backdrop of crashing waves below, and is here that we truly appreciate their ability to adapt to life amidst rugged coastal landscapes. Taking flight near the cliff tops of Lunga Island in Mull reminds us how effortlessly these birds navigate through the air. Their agile movements showcase both gracefulness and resilience, as they soar above the vast Atlantic Ocean.