To every thing
Tern! Tern! Tern!
There is a season
Tern! Tern! Tern!
And a time for every purpose under Heaven.
– The Byrds, 1965
Inspired by this song, I’ve been waiting all these years to get photos of terns. In mid-March, the Forsters terns at Huntington Beach State Park finally gave me the opportunity I needed. As the terns flew back and forth over the water, looking for their next meal, they would occasionally stop and hover, before diving to make their catch. Better yet, they would sometimes do this relatively close to shore, with the sun at least not directly in my eyes.
When I saw what a variety of wing positions had been captured, I was further inspired to make captions about voting, umpiring, bombing, blood-sucking, and taking off, eh?
Note that these birds do have eyes: You just can’t see them in my photos.
The “Ayes” have it.
Oh, no, it’s the “Nays.”
Safe!
Touchdown!
Coming in for my strafing run, outta the sun . . .
I vant to drink your blood.
That’s it, I’m outta here.
It was amazingly difficult to get sharp photos of these little guys. The only saving grace was the good light, which allowed me to use a fast shutter speed. This is my best shot, I think, but I also think I’m not done with terns yet.
Of course you’ll take more pictures of them. One good tern deserves another.
Jim T
groan…. 😀
🙂
Jim! Stop that!
Air travel has a long way to go to match the efficiency, grace, and mobility of these not-so-simple terns. Lovely views that, as always, deepen the viewers’ appreciation for fleeting images.
Laurna – Thank you. I am surprised by what the camera sees that my eye is not fast enough for. Amazing and delightful.
the angles that those wings bend, from aye to nay,
is just unbelievable!
Barry – Indeed. They make my own shoulders ache!