The Forster’s Tern is the only tern that is almost entirely restricted to North America year around. They’re sometimes called “marsh terns” because they breed primarily in fresh, brackish and saltwater marshes, including here in northern Utah. Prior to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act Forster’s Terns were hunted for the millenary trade and because of their habit of hovering over other individuals that had been killed they were particularly vulnerable to being shot.
I seldom post terns here but as of late I’ve come to the realization that I tend to ignore some species in my blog posts so in the future I plan on rectifying that situation by making occasional posts about species that I’ve largely been leaving out of the loop. That process begins this morning.
1/2500, f/7.1, ISO 400, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
I photographed this Forster’s Tern in non-breeding plumage two days ago as it hunted for small fish over a pond at Farmington Bay. This time of year they lack the full black cap and black-tipped orange bill and the orange feet will soon fade to reddish-brown until next breeding season.
I find Forster’s Terns difficult to photograph well because their “immaculate” bright whites make them a challenging exposure and the blacks around the eye make it difficult to get any light in the eye. On days when I want an even more formidable photographic challenge I attempt to capture them entering or leaving the water after one of their spectacular dives for fish.
Up to now those attempts have largely been dismal failures.
Ron
Don’t worry…you’re sure to get another image of this bird…after all, one good tern deserves another….
Thanks for celebrating the Forster’s Tern. It’s a great bird, and absolutely spectacular to watch. I’ve managed a couple of good photographs from Forsythe NWR in New Jersey, but like you, my attempts to get them in a dive, entering the water, or re-emerging, have been abject failures. Still, they’re wonderful to observe.
Thanks again!
It’s a very difficult shot to get, Devin – but for me at least, part of the fun is in the trying.
Terrific photograph, Ron! I empathize with trying to get the contrast correct. Add in a gray sky and I usually look for flowers to shoot. Good luck to all of us trying to catch that Tern catching its meal!
Thank you, Wally.
Rain? Jealous thoughts.
Using birds and animals for our personal adornment is an obscenity in my eyes.
And I am looking forward to the day to final nail (and you will) this stunning bird’s entry or exit from the water.
Don’t hold your breath, Elephant’s Child but I’ll keep on giving it the ol’ college try…
Hi!
A great photo of a beautiful bird in flight! Keep up the great work! Have a special weekend of good shooting !
Thanks, Humming Bird Lover. But I’m afraid our weekend will be nothing but rain…
I was at a hotel on the beach having breakfast. Several terns (I don’t know what species) boldly invited themselves to the meal. They sat squawking at me like a mother “Hurry up. You’ll be late” trying to get me to abandon my pancakes. One even leaned in to spear a sausage off my friend’s plate!
Wow! It sounds like your terns are a lot tamer than ours are, Arwen.
Sensational shot Ron! Thanks so much for sharing!
Charlotte
Thank you, Charlotte.
My first view of a Forster’s Tern – congratulations on your success photographing them!
Thank you, Alison. They are such graceful flyers…