Least Tern (Sternula antillarum)
California Least Tern
Sternula antillarum browni
Anthropomorphically angry.
Ormond Beach Wetlands
Oxnard, California
An endangered species that seems to be making a significant comeback thanks to public education and active protection provided by dedicated, hard-working volunteers and organizations, birders and birdists.
These guys are tiny and delicate -- an adult's wingspan can be up to 21 inches but their weight tops out at about 1 1/2 ounces. They flutter like butterflies and maneuver like magic, but despite their diminutivity [if it's not a word it should be] they are tenacious and effective predators, Little aquatic raptors -- they plunge-dive for their prey like tiny pelicans. Amazing birds, fun to watch (and to photograph).
The bird in the photo looks angry, probably because he had just dropped a hard-earned fish. I missed the drop shot.
Member of the Flickr Bird Brigade
Activists for birds and wildlife
Least Tern (Sternula antillarum)
California Least Tern
Sternula antillarum browni
Anthropomorphically angry.
Ormond Beach Wetlands
Oxnard, California
An endangered species that seems to be making a significant comeback thanks to public education and active protection provided by dedicated, hard-working volunteers and organizations, birders and birdists.
These guys are tiny and delicate -- an adult's wingspan can be up to 21 inches but their weight tops out at about 1 1/2 ounces. They flutter like butterflies and maneuver like magic, but despite their diminutivity [if it's not a word it should be] they are tenacious and effective predators, Little aquatic raptors -- they plunge-dive for their prey like tiny pelicans. Amazing birds, fun to watch (and to photograph).
The bird in the photo looks angry, probably because he had just dropped a hard-earned fish. I missed the drop shot.
Member of the Flickr Bird Brigade
Activists for birds and wildlife