This Forster's Tern takes one look back as he zips off across the salt marsh as evening approaches. Forster's Terns are super fast and erratic flyers, and I can go dizzy trying to follow them as they swoop and dive for small fish! This adult also has his orange breeding bill color.
26 thoughts on "Looking Back"
Steve Gingold on May 5, 2014 at 8:20 pm said:
This a tern in another direction for you, Phil. Sorry….a long time ago a friend had the "Book of Terns" that was about 75 pages of such puniness. The bill and feet are a matched set. Lovely bird and photograph. Phil.
Actually, it's still in print: http://www.amazon.com/Book-Terns-Peter-Delacorte/dp/0615424392/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1399335554&sr=1-1&keywords=the+book+of+terns
Phil Lanoue on May 5, 2014 at 8:23 pm said:
Occasionally I get a picture that terns out Ok, not all the time, but occasionally. 🙂
Thanks for looking Steve.
Lyle Krahn on May 5, 2014 at 8:39 pm said:
That's a lot of lipstick!
Happens every spring, some just tend to go a little overboard. Kind of like some people. 🙂
Mr Bennett Kent on May 5, 2014 at 8:44 pm said:
Beautifully detailed flight shot, Phil
Thanks! These small fast flyers can be tough.
Andrew on May 5, 2014 at 8:56 pm said:
Beautiful Phil. Terns are always jinking in flight and hard to track.
Thank you Andrew, yes these little guys can zip along pretty good.
Gunta on May 5, 2014 at 9:10 pm said:
A lot of lipstick and socks to match. All dressed up for the dance. Gosh, it looks like the tern is motionless to me!
Nice bokeh even! 😮
This guy sure is a snappy dresser and there is a lot of dancing going on out there.
Garden Walk Garden Talk on May 5, 2014 at 9:24 pm said:
I think terns are elegant. Lovely capture, Phil.
Those frosted wings do give them an elegant sort of look. 🙂
Stewart Monckton on May 6, 2014 at 3:02 am said:
Great pictures – terns are such a treat to watch and photograph.
If you are interested it would be great if you could link you blog up to Wild Bird Wednesday, which runs on my photoblog on Wednesdays (!) – about 60 bird bloggers from around the world already join in.
foxleylady on May 6, 2014 at 5:07 am said:
What a great shot, Phil! The terns are such lovely little birds but so difficult to photograph, with that tern of speed (sorry!).
Linda V. on May 6, 2014 at 7:15 am said:
Beautiful little bird, and fast, great colors and shot, I wonder where he was flying off too?
Amy on May 6, 2014 at 10:18 am said:
What a incredible capture as he zips off across… !!
Ooops, an incredible…
Edna on May 6, 2014 at 11:05 am said:
Now the song "Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay" won't leave my mind!!!…Not a Bluebird but might as well be with the jubilant zipping of this gorgeous albeit dizzying bird.
Thanks a bunch Edna!
Patrizia M. on May 6, 2014 at 4:04 pm said:
Incredibile quanto è nitido questo scatto, visto la velocità del soggetto!!
Bravissimo Phil, complimenti.
I'm glad you liked this Pat!
The Dancing Rider on May 6, 2014 at 4:43 pm said:
Love that mating colored bill – really stands out against the white. He looks like he is definitely built for speed!
Oh this guy can really move, I blink and he's gone!
anotherday2paradise on May 7, 2014 at 3:53 pm said:
Impressive make-up, and a very determined look on his face. Great capture, Phil. 🙂
Paula on May 9, 2014 at 11:49 am said:
A terrific shot, Phil 🙂 What was the shutter speed if you don't mind telling me.
Bird Photography, Birds in Flight, Forster's Terns, Wildlife Photography