Yes, Virginia, sometimes lightning does strike twice.
Three days ago I posted a few photos of the first “fresh juvenile” (a young juvenile whose plumage shows little or no fading or wear) Forster’s Tern I’d ever seen, much less photographed. Those photos were taken at Bear River MBR on September 6, two days before I posted them. Two days after that, on September 8, I photographed another one at the refuge.
So, I went 14 years without seeing (or at least noticing) a fresh juvenile Forster’s Tern and then photographed two of them within two days.
This is one of the photos I posted three days ago of the first fresh juvie. The ginger-brown markings on the head, back and scapulars distinguish a fresh juvie from an adult. In this species, those colors last a very short time as they quickly turn to whitish and gray due to fading and wear.
1/8000, f/5.6, ISO 800, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
And here’s the second fresh juvie I photographed, two days and 3-4 miles apart from where I photographed the first one. There are many hundreds of Forster’s Terns on the refuge right now so I doubt they’re the same bird, though I suppose it’s possible.
I love this photo for a variety of reasons. It documents an unusual bird for me but I also think it’s a pretty neat photo in its own right. I like the flight posture, the good light on the bird’s dorsal surfaces and the dark, bicolored water in the background. And how could the photographer go wrong with such a beautiful subject?
I got a few other shots of this bird but most of them weren’t quite as sharp as this one.
If you prefer, here’s a horizontal crop of the same photo. But I had to add canvas to this version because I didn’t have enough room in the frame on the left for a composition that works for me.
They say that good things come in threes so the next time I visit the refuge I’ll be keeping my eyes peeled.
Ron
Note: I suspect that some readers who don’t know me might think I’ve done some pretty heavy-handed processing to this photo, including but not limited to replacing or modifying the background. Nothing could be further from the truth. All I did was crop, convert from RAW to JPEG, sharpen and a minor exposure adjustment. That, plus add canvas to the second version of the photo.
Outstanding details!
I don’t usually get to see the immature birds so these splendid photographs are a treat.
Hope all is well.
You’ve done it again!
Simply splendid.
Thanks very much, Gary.
Late to the party this morning but delighted to be here (not least because I can finally get in using my preferred browser again).
I think I prefer the vertical shot of this charmer, but if push came to shove, would be ecstatic to have captured it.
Thanks, EC. I’m glad your browser frustrations are behind you, for now at least.
Team Vertical 🙂 His tail looks like a fish tail! So smooth and elegant. Excellent captures Ron!
“His tail looks like a fish tail.”
You’re right, it does, Kathleen.
In fish, where the upper lobe of the tail is identical (symmetrical) to the lower lobe, it’s called a homocercal tail. When the lobes aren’t symmetrical, as in many sharks, the tails are called heterocercal tails.
I’ve never seen any those terms applied to bird tails though.
Good to take the time to mention the lack of processing to those who might log on for the first time, but we, your regular followers see these very special photos knowing that they have not been over processed.
Absolutely beautiful Ron. All 3 are would look beautiful framed and hanging on your office wall.
I envy you your numbers of these Forster’s Terns, I have only see one or two or our golf course in the rain so have never seen how
handsome they are.
Thanks for your confidence in me, Everett. Yes, we’re lucky around here with Forster’s Terns but only at certain times of the year.
Beautiful! 🙂 I also like the horizontal better…..their coloring at this stage of life is beautiful……..
Fall IS creeping in with change in leaf color and yard is “Labor Day quiet” in terms of birds…….
Thanks, Judy. Generally, birds are pretty slow around here too.
The blue background is beautiful. The tail on this bird looks a little more developed, compared to the one from the other day? I agree with Kris on the horizontal crop. I could look at photos of these terns all day!
I think you may be right about the tail, Carolyn. Good eye.
A beautiful young creature……..I like the horizontal version ( image
#3 ) best…….he’s got “room” to fly forward, and plenty of space
all around to frame his beauty and grace…..
Thanks, Kris. I probably prefer the horizontal too but for me it’s a close call.