A few weeks after Taking Turns Making Terns, I returned to the colony with the hopes of seeing cute babies. I found them! I spent the morning lying quietly on my stomach, observing them from my safe distance of my long camera lens.
Least Tern Chick
I think this baby was 3 or 4 days old. He grew up to be the first banded Least Tern on this beach, nicknamed “Tribble.” He and his brother spent the morning hanging out in these beach grasses. Periodically Mom and Dad would fly in and bring a fish for breakfast.
Least Tern Feeding Babies
It’s very exciting when the food comes in. Babies who have been napping for an hour hear the calls of Mom and Dad and go running to greet them…
Least Tern Chick
I don’t know how the adults always fly in to the right chick, but they do!
Cleared for Landing (Least Tern Feeding Chick)
It was a beautiful morning. Before I left, a pair of adult terns began a mating ritual, so I’m pretty sure there will be more cute little babies running around this beach soon!
I’m not sure this post really needs words. My mom always asks my why I like to photograph that. It’s fun! Action photography! The birds are very amusing with their courtship rituals. I’ve often said that the fish exchange is like the human practice of giving an engagement ring. In fact, my favorite Least Tern courtship image is titled “Will you Marry Me?” Well, there were plenty of fish on Outback Key and more than one tern couple got engaged that morning…
Least Tern Couple One
Least Terns Mating: The Male Presents the Fish
Least Terns Mating: The Fish Exchange!
Least Terns Mating: Babies on the Way
Least Terns Mating: Thanks for the Fish!
The key to these images was getting low so that I was at eye level with the birds. I laid down in the sand and slowly slid forward to get a little closer. The birds were very focused on their task, and I have a really long lens, so I didn’t bother them. I liked how they were down by the ocean, so I could include the soft blue background in the image.
Royal Terns
These birds chose a less photogenic location – an icky brown mud flat! I think they may have been juvenile birds, as they seemed to be figuring out the ritual. The male was very proud of his fish, and the female wasn’t always impressed!
Royal Tern Fish Exchange: I have a Fish!
Royal Tern Fish Exchange: The Male Mounts as the Female Grabs at the Fish
Royal Tern Fish Exchange: Give me the Fish Already!!
Royal Tern Fish Exchange: Not Worth The Trouble, Buddy!
I had to laugh at these birds. The female was very patient, even letting the male try a second time. But he wouldn’t hand over the fish! She finally flew away disgusted.
For these kinds of images, it’s important to zoom out (either with a zoom lens, or zoom with your feet if you have a fixed prime). It’s easier to crop a photo than to replace a clipped wing!
Least Tern Couple Two
I came across this pair not five minutes after I finished photographing the first couple. These birds were farther from the ocean, but by getting low in the sand, I still had a nice bird’s-eye view.
Least Terns Mating: The Courtship. The male dances with the fish as the female expresses her consent
Least Terns Mating: The Action Shot!
Least Terns Mating: The Fish Exchange
Least Terns Mating: The Male Kinda Fell Off…
I loved watching the feet of the male in this last series. He has to do quite the balancing act to successfully perform this particular maneuver. He actually kinda fell off. The female enjoyed her fish and flew away. I suspect they had a repeat performance later.
I’m looking forward to going back to meet the babies! :)
When I wrote about my early June visit to the Circle B Bar Reserve, I left out the best part. Spoonies!!! A flock of Roseate Spoonbills was hanging out on Wading Bird Way, foraging in the shallow waters along the edge of the trail. A gentle sprinkle fell as we watched them pulling fish out of the water.
Roseate Spoonbill
It was a very gray, cloudy day, not ideal for flight shots, but the spoonies didn’t know that. They flew in and out like crazy. I really liked this shot below, with the spoonies staring straight at the camera as he flew in.
Roseate Spoonbill in Flight
I loved the still waters and how they created beautiful reflections of the pretty birds. This bird was close to the trees, and he gave a little splash as he searched for his breakfast.
Roseate Spoonbill
This Spoonie gave an even bigger splash and a great wing-flap. I wished I had zoomed out a little first!
Roseate Spoonbill
You really appreciate the bird’s bill in this next shot. The Roseate Spoonbill is the only spoonbill in the Americas. it’s the perfect shape to help the bird pull fish from the water.
Roseate Spoonbill
The spoonies weren’t the only ones enjoying the wading pool. This Great Blue Heron suddenly pulled a giant fish from the water. He stood with it for a few seconds while the cameras clicked and everybody asked, “How’s he going to eat that?” Well, he wasn’t dumb. A few minutes later, he carefully slid the fish back into the water.
Fish Story – Great Blue Heron Grabs Giant FIsh
Remember the cute little Sandhill Crane colts I used to photograph at Circle B? We came across this year’s family of cranes as we left Wading Bird Way. The baby was already almost as tall as his parents. They walked down the trail together, quite undisturbed by the people around them.
Sandhill Crane Family
A few seconds later, the whole family was dancing. The juvenile’s wing-flap lasted a little longer as he stretched his wings and seemed to think about trying to fly. When I looked at the image on my computer, he seemed to be happily singing in the rain. It wasn’t actually raining very hard, but I added a rain texture to complete the effect!
