Puffins and Seals Photography Cruise to Eastern Egg Rock

Join us aboard the Snowgoose III for a privately chartered, 3 hour boat trip to Eastern Egg Rock to photograph Maine’s iconic seabirds, including Atlantic puffins, three species of terns, black guillemots, common eiders, and more!

Instructor Bio

Loren Merrill is a wildlife photographer and science writer with a PhD in avian ecology and animal behavior, and he is the director of Hog Island Audubon Photography Camp. Loren’s approach to photography is heavily influenced by his background in natural history, ecology, and animal behavior, and his goal is to capture images that help communicate stories of the natural world to others. While he has conducted research and pursued photography on four continents, Loren’s ties to Maine run deep: he grew up searching for snakes, turtles, and birds in the Midcoast area, and his first field job was for the Audubon Society’s Project Puffin in 1995. Loren is a dedicated instructor receiving a number of teaching and mentoring awards while in academia, and he works with each participant to help them achieve their goals. Decades spent in the presence of wild animals have provided Loren with unique insights into their behavior, and he is able to parlay that knowledge into being better prepared to understand and anticipate his subjects’ action. To paraphrase Louis Pasteur, wildlife photography favors the prepared mind.

Workshop Description

Join us aboard the Snowgoose III for a privately chartered, three hour boat trip to Eastern Egg Rock to photograph Maine’s iconic seabirds, including Atlantic puffins, three species of terns, black guillemots, common eiders, and more! Your guide on this small group adventure is Dr. Loren Merrill, who is the current director of the Hog Island Audubon Photography Camp and a former Puffin Project researcher. During the 3-hour trip, Loren will provide photography instruction as well as insights into the seabird research being conducted in the Gulf of Maine. Eastern Egg Rock is located at the outer edge of beautiful Muscongus Bay, and the trip to and from the seabird island passes by numerous scenic islands as well as exposed rocky ledges that often host napping harbor and gray seals.Don’t miss this chance to see Atlantic puffins at the site of the world’s first restored seabird colony

Frequently Asked Questions

Do we get to land on the island?

We do not. Eastern Egg Rock is a wildlife sanctuary and is not open to the public from April 1-August 31; the only people permitted to be on the island at that time are seabird researchers working for the Audubon Society on seabird conservation.

Do I need a lot of experience or expensive gear to take this workshop?

This workshop is all about getting people out to see the puffins at the closest and most southerly puffin colony in the eastern US. Puffins will likely be in the water, flying around, and on the island itself. A good zoom or telephoto lens will help you capture close-up images of these birds and the other wildlife we will see.

What about transportation?

Participants are responsible for their own transportation to and from the dock location in Bremen, Maine.

What about lodging?

Maine is a popular place, and many hotels and B&B’s fill up fast. We will be meeting at a boat dock in Bremen before 8am, so if you are getting accommodation, we recommend something not too far from Bremen.

What should I wear?

The most recommended piece of gear is a pair of sturdy shoes, ideally waterproof or water resistant. We will be on a moving boat, and if it is raining or there is a lot of sea spray, the floor may get wet, so shoes with good tread are very helpful. We also like to layer, which usually means a base layer of synthetic, fast-wicking material, a warm fleece or soft shell, and a down jacket for cool mornings. It is almost always cooler out on the water than on land, so be prepared for a breeze and cooler temps. Other suggested items are found below:

• Sunscreen
• Waterproof outerwear
• Wool socks
• Gloves
• Two hats (one for warmth, the other for sun protection)

What happens if the weather doesn’t cooperate?

Please keep an open mind when it comes to your expectations about what “good conditions" are. May weather in Maine can be unpredictable; it can be sunny, humid and in the 80s, or it can be overcast, rainy, and in the 40s. We’ll be keeping an eye on the weather so we can be prepared for whatever it throws at us. If conditions are rough, the boat’s captain will ultimately make a decision on going out based on safety.

What does my tuition cover?

The price of the workshop includes the boat trip, photography instruction, and natural history information. It does not include travel insurance, meals, transportation, or lodging.

What camera equipment do you recommend I bring?

• DSLR or mirrorless camera
• Lenses equal to or greater than 300mm are recommended (this can include zoom lenses)
• Waterproof camera bag
• Extra camera batteries
• Extra memory card if your card is under 50GB

Cancellations

The payment is 50% refundable in the event you have to cancel, as long as the cancellation is made 21 days before the trip. After that time, your payment is non-refundable. Alternately, 100% of your payment will be refunded if a replacement can be found prior to the trip.