I thought it might be fun to highlight some birds from cooler climates, maybe just thinking about it will cool things off.
I took this shot of three Atlantic Puffins loafing on the rocks of Eastern Egg Rock Island off the coast of Maine.
Breeding in large colonies on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, the Atlantic Puffin once faced threats from egg collectors and commercial hunters. It is more abundant once again thanks to protection and restoration efforts. Atlantic Puffins do not reach breeding age until they are three-to-six years old, but they can live to be over 30 years old.
Atlantic Puffins propel themselves underwater with their wings. A typical dive lasts about half a minute and may reach a depth of about 20 meters. Roosting takes place on the water. A number of avian predators have been known to take puffins, including Peregrine Falcons, large gulls, and several species of hawks and owls.