Summer in Iceland provides some unmatched photographic opportunities, not just of its breathtaking landscapes basked in the light of the Midnight Sun, but of the arrival of its seasonal wildlife. Most iconic of these animals are the puffins, and it's an annual highlight when I set out to shoot them.

For this image, I was on the island of Flatey in the north, a far-flung and magical destination where puffins outnumber the people by a margin of thousands to one. Part of what drew me here was partly the remoteness, allowing me to work for hours without disruption; the other side was the fields of wildflowers that the island boasts.

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Most shots of puffins show them nestled into cliffs, resting on mossy outcrops, or in the water or air, but here was the opportunity to create the perfect composition of both Iceland’s flora and fauna. As with all wildlife photography, patience was key, but there have been few shoots where I have required quite so much of it. Having located a beach with hundreds of these adorable birds, I settled amongst the bed of bright yellow flowers for the perfect angle the moment one wandered into the shot. And I waited… and waited… and waited.

With the light of the Midnight Sun, there was no great rush, but I was increasingly fearful that fate was against me on this one. Then, the bright-beaked face of one of my charming subjects peeped over the foliage, and it began to wobble toward my shot without an iota of urgency.

With bated breath, I lay with my eyes fixed on my viewfinder and finger hovering over my shutter button. For a moment it wandered a few inches into the frame, then hobbled back; a minute later, it returned, and took a seat in the perfect position, but of course, with the back of its head to me. Just when my frustration had reached its peak, the puffin answered my silent prayers. It stood, ruffled its feathers, turned 90 degrees, and resumed its seat in perfect profile. After hours of waiting, my ideal composition was right in front of me, and the resulting image has quickly become one of my most proud images of Iceland’s favorite bird.