Do you ever watch nature documentaries like "Planet Earth" and think, 'I wish I could witness that natural phenomenon in person'

Well, you can be that person...are nearby in Maine!

There is a breathtaking animal that only breeds in Maine for a short amount of time before leaving for a full year:

The Atlantic Puffin.

The Atlantic Puffin is a gorgeous animal, one that is extremely hard to come by.

Not like hawks which have been flying over New England skies in the thousands this year.

According to a Grey Havens article, Atlantic Puffins breed from May to August. After their short breeding period on the rocky coast of Maine, they return to the open ocean for the majority of the year.

So these beautiful birds are rarely seen, even though they are "native to" (breed in) Maine.

Where to See Puffins in Maine:

The most common place to see the Atlantic Puffin is on Eastern Egg Rock - off the coast of Maine - a little over an hour north of Portland.

There are a number of tours to see these beautiful creatures nest. For example, you have Cap’n Fish’s Audubon Puffin Cruise in Boothbay Harbor, Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co. in Bar Harbor, or Hardy Boat Cruises out of New Harbor.

There are also other tours that depart from Steuben, Maine, near Acadia National Park, and Cutler, Maine near the Canadian border.

Thankfully, there's a variety of options to see the puffins if you really want!

Keep scrolling to see 30 beautiful images of birds found in New Hampshire:

The Birds of New Hampshire

With over 400 species of birds in NH, here are 30 amazing bird shots in the Granite State.

LOOK: Most Commonly Spotted Backyard Birds in Massachusetts

Whether you are an avid bird watcher or just enjoy hanging a seasonal bird feeder in your backyard, these are the birds you will most likely see across Massachusetts.

How many have been spotted in your neighborhood?

Gallery Credit: Nancy Hall

Source: Love Is in the Air: Puffins Are Looking to Get It On in Maine, and You’re Invited to the Show