Shots from Skomer

Two trips to Skomer reaped incredible results for Mark Raikes as he photographed the island’s most famous – and comical – residents

- Mark Raikes

Camera: Nikon D7200

Lens: 70-200mm f/2.8

Exposure: 1/2500 sec, f/3.2, ISO280

MISSION: Capture photographs of puffins displaying various behaviors on Skomer Island

PHOTOGRAPHER: Mark Raikes

LOCATION: Brynna, Wales

KIT USED: Nikon D7200, Sigma 70-200mm f/2. EX-DG OS HSM

Cameras were only used for family snaps when I was growing up. It was a time when you’d send the film away to be developed and receive a freeroll in return. By the time I had a family of my own, I decided to break the mold and expand into wildlife photography. It wasn’t until 2009 that I made the move to digital. The camera store suggested Nikon and I left with a COOLPIX bridge camera– I’ve never looked at another brand since. The controls were simple to use, but I soon realized I needed a device with faster burst shooting speeds so I bought a Nikon D7200.