After my early May trip to Fort De Soto, I stopped at a Black Skimmer colony to see if the birds were settling in for the nest season. They were definitely congregating, but their colony wasn’t yet roped-off because they weren’t on eggs yet. I spotted a mixed flock of terns and skimmers down by the water and wandered down to say hello. I focused mostly on the Sandwich Terns because I don’t have many images of their courtship rituals.
The males were bringing in fish to impress their prospective mates…
Sandwich Tern with Fish
On the ground, the females waited anxiously. Their calls took on a particular pitch as their partner approached…
Sandwich Tern Calling
After landing, the males presented the females with the fish. As you can see from the below photo, the birds require no privacy at all in these courtship rituals! (or the ones that sometimes follow if the fish is particularly yummy)
I wondered how the males identified their mates below. After all, the birds mostly look alike, and several of the females would call excitedly to attract the attention of the male overhead. It turns out that sometimes the males do get confused and try to give the fish to the wrong lady…
Sandwich Tern Fish Exchange
…and then when he realized his mistake, the two birds started to fight over the fish!
Sandwich Tern Fish Fight
They fussed as the male yanked back the fish and tried to make off with it…
Sandwich Terns Fighting over Fish
… but alas, the gulls usually win these kinds of fights!
In early May I headed to Fort De Soto to say goodbye to the shorebirds who were preparing to leave for their northern breeding territory. It’s the best time of the year to find Red Knots in breeding plumage, Black-bellied Plovers with actual black bellies, and enjoy the courtship activities of the birds planning to stick around for the summer.
When your first bird of the morning shows off his breakfast triumphantly for your camera, you know it’s going to be a good day…
Ring-billed Gull with Breakfast
Photographing Black-bellied Plovers in their breeding plumage has been an ongoing challenge for me. During the wintertime, these birds molt into drab gray colors. They only get their namesake black bellies just before they migrate to the tundra of Alaska to breed. On this particular morning, there were several birds sporting glossy black feathers as they waded in the shallow waters.
Black-bellied Plover in Breeding Plumage
Red Knots are another good bird that passes by Fort De Soto in early spring. These birds are impressive for their migratory feats. They fly from southern Argentina to the Arctic tundra. It’s a long trek for relatively small birds! I learned a lot about them reading The Narrow Edge: A Tiny Bird, an Ancient Crab, and an Epic Journey by Deborah Cramer. After learning about their history, I stood in awe watching them wander the shorelines…
Red Knot emerges from the ocean with breakfast
Red Knot Playing Peek-a-Boo
Later, a flock of 50 or so Red Knots flew by. Most were partially morphed into their red breeding plumage, and others were still in their drab winter colors.
Red Knots in Flight
The Royal Terns were very active that morning. Pairs of them were courting, strutting to impress their mates on the beach. Overhead, the males brought in fish to impress their prospective mates.
Royal Tern Courtship
Royal Tern with Fish
The Royal Terns weren’t the only terns with courtship on the brain. The Least Skimmers have returned to Florida and were also exchanging fish as part of their courtship rituals. As the sun rose, a Least Tern flew by with a fish, making a nice silhouette image.
Least Tern Courtship
Least Tern with Fish
Possibly the “best” bird of the morning was this Snowy Plover. These tiny white birds scurry at the edges of the waves. They are tough to find because they are so rare, and tough to photograph because they rarely stand still. The only thing cuter than a Snowy Plover adult is a Snowy Plover chick…and I’m hoping to find one of those some day!
Snowy Plover
Bark! Bark! The distinctive call of Black Skimmers caught my attention, and I quickly focused to photograph the small flock flying by. I’m looking forward to photographing their babies at their breeding colonies this summer.
Black Skimmers
I ended up sitting at the edge of the mud flat near a mixed flock of skimmers, terns, and gulls. The terns were amazingly cooperative for head shots.
Royal Tern Head Shot
A group of kids went by and suddenly the whole flock took flight. I was glad I had my shorter lens with me as I aimed and shot at the mass of moving feathers. This last image was one of my favorites from the morning. I love the motion of the birds in flight!
During a visit to Fort de Soto at the beginning of May, I heard the familiar calls of Least Terns. Their calls take on a particular tone as they perform courtship routines. I dropped to the sand and focused on the birds. Then I started to laugh, as the male repeatedly presented a fish to the female, but wouldn’t let her take it. She put up with his games for several minutes before giving him the slip!
Least Tern Courtship: The male presents the fish and the female gets into position to accept It
Least Tern Courtship: After the male dangles the fish in her face for a while, the female tries to grab it
Least Tern Courtship: The male pretends to offer the fish directly to the female, but never hands it over
Least Tern Courtship: The female continues to eye the fish…or maybe she’s giving the male the evil eye!
Least Tern Courtship: The female shows great patience as the male dances around with the fish
Least Tern Courtship: Finally the male starts to hand over the fish as he hops onto the female’s back
Least Tern Courtship: The female yanks the fish away
Least Tern Courtship: At the end, the female scooted out from under the male and ran off with the fish. She gave him the slip!
