I went on a wildlife cruise in Kenai Fjords National Park, out of Seward, Alaska. I expected to be wowed by the sight of large animals in the wild; animals I had never seen outside of a zoo. And I was not disappointed. Whales, sea otters, seals, bears and moose were abundant and thrilling. But what captured my imagination? A comical clown of a bird, one I’d only seen in photos: the Puffin! As it was nesting season, the birds were gathered on the craggy cliffs and in the chilly sea, busily feeding their hatchlings. I snapped dozens of reference photos, augmented by a close-up photo shoot of the birds at the Sea Life Center back in Seward.