Machias Seal Island lies in the Gulf of Maine, about 10 miles southeast from Cutler, Maine, and 12 miles southwest of Southwest Head on Grand Manan Island, New Brunswick. Sovereignty of the island is an ongoing, but amicable, dispute between the United States and Canada. Puffins can be found on Machias from May through August. Only 30 people are allowed on the island each day, 15 from the US and 15 from Canada. Once on the island you observe the birds from a wooden blind. Long lenses are not needed as they come close to the blind, and you can hear them running on roof as you snap away. Spending a couple of hours watching and photographing the birds was a fun, interesting, and amusing experience.

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