Huntington Beach State Park, Murrells Inlet, South Carolina

A Caspian Tern gives a little bank, considering a possible dive.

Got it!

The largest of the terns, about the size of a gull, but a bit more streamlined. They fish by either plunge diving or flying parallel with the water and snatching fish from the surface. You can see part of the nictitating membrane which protects the eye from debris or prey. Its like a clear eyelid which can be drawn across the eyeball.

Wrightsville Beach, NC. Most of my shots this morning were taken into the sun, but I liked the stronger colors of most of them.

Where are you going?

I am not sure what these two birds are doing. Looks like breeding ritual to me. Anyone out there who knows? Found maybe a dozen of these terns on Otama beach mid January. The Caspian tern is native to New Zealand but nationally vulnerable.

I encountered a banded Caspian Tern at Coyote Point Park last week. It was distant and not a good photo but enough to get the band number to report to the USGS.

Just got the report back today and this bird is about 14 years old, banded on June 26, 2008 when it was too young to fly in Richmond, CA. As far as I could determine researching the longevity of Caspians is that the average is 12 years but the oldest living was 29.

Last year I was fortunate to get some photos of Caspian Terns fishing and diving. This year I managed a few distant flight images. Right place, right time, I guess.

Caspian Tern

From Fort Fisher, NC

Some more from the little nature reserve near the house

Over the summer months I had fun watching the feeding activity of Caspian Terns. The young tern made constant feeding calls as it followed its parent in flight. As soon as the adult caught a fish from the pond, the young would land on water with its mouth wide open. The adult would then land beside the chick and the exchange happened. This is one the photos from the whole feeding sequence, that I took.

The young Caspian Terns take a long time to master the skills of fishing on their own; they stick with their parents for 8 months or more. Burlington, Ontario

Caspian Tern after dive

Thank you for viewing

The Caspian Tern's are now in their mating season , this Male sat on the Female for roughly 5 minutes then he took off brought back a Fish offering to her,.

This caspain tern was so trustfull that I could watch it from a very close distance.

Juvenile and adult in winter plumage.

Sony ILCE-7RM4

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM

Congregating on a mudbank in the Skokie lagoons.

Coming my way.

OB, Ottawa

Giving the gulls a talk about being to close.

New Britain Pa.

Many thanks to all who take the time to view, comment and fave my images. Enjoy the day.

Caspian Tern, Esquimalt Lagoon, Colwood, BC

Wearing a bit of red eyeliner...

NC, September 2018

Photographed at Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge near Leipsic, Delaware

Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge Seneca Falls, NY

Caspian Tern

Caspian Tern emerging from the water following an unsuccessful dive for a fish.

LaPorte County, IN

The largest tern in the word with a truly global distribution. Lake St. Clair.

Caspian Tern at Bear Swamp in Bombay Hook NWR, DE

The photo at the top of the comment box shows the tern picking up a meal

Species 145 for the Challenge 150

2017_05_15_EOS 7D_6496-Edit_V1

An amazing in flight flip and catch in the air.

Many thanks to those who comment on my photo's and/or add them as favourites.

My first of the season juvenile Caspian as the fog rolled in at Pillar Point. Tern activity was very low this day. Only a very few Caspians and Elegants started hunting as we were leaving.

Lots of activity on Surfer's Beach with a feeding frenzy near the shore by gulls and pelicans, but no terns there either.

Touch the caviar dish to be served caviar with bento eating animation!

Available now at FaMESHed: maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/FaMESHed/217/230/800

Thanks all for always being here with me

Caspian Tern.

One of many gathered at Shearness Pool in Bombay Hook NWR

2019_08_19_EOS 7D Mark II_8518_V1