Last weekend I noticed this Whiskered tern being a little more predictable in flight than normal - so I set up to try and get some inflight images. The bird was hunting back and forth over an area of surface weed in Swan Bay, near Queenscliff where we were staying for the weekend.
It was still very hard to keep the bird in frame and in focus, and the ability to take a large number of shots with the punitive costs of the past was a real joy. (If you never shot slide film, this may not mean much to you - but trust me, it was expensive!)
Although I still have a long way to go in this area, I was pleased with a few on the shots - and have learnt enough to hope that the next batch in similar circumstances will have a higher hit rate!
The Whiskered Tern (Chlidonias hybrida) is a summer breeding visitor to southern Australia, so it was a marker of the changing seasons that I was able to find this bird. The scientific name is some form of grammatical statement about the gender of the genus name - if you could explain this to me, that would be great, as such things are beyond me!
One of the things I like about these pictures is the way that the light is reflected up from the water onto the underside of the birds. It gives a remarkable pattern. I could see it in the field through binoculars, but I was surprised how clear it is in the pictures. As ever, these picture look much better larger.
And now, equally as ever, its over to you: click on the blue button and off you go.
The tern in the first shot is elegance and grace in motion. Love those wings.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful action shots Stewart!! I love Terns.
ReplyDeleteWait! Where are the whiskers? :-)
ReplyDeleteYou have outdone yourself this time, Stewart. This is a beautiful bird, but your pictures are way beyond beautiful ... especially the last one. I just have one question ... where are the whiskers? Is this another inappropriately named bird?
ReplyDeleteDo you think early Ornithologists drank a lot? Just thinking outloud, sorry. Love this set ... these are hang on the wall quality.
Andrea @ From The Sol
these are great shots, stewart! love that last one.
ReplyDeleteGreat shots - and I like the name whiskered terns.
ReplyDeleteNice bird in flight photos - I really like that last one.
ReplyDeleteOh, yes! I love the name whiskered terns, too!! These are really beautiful captures for the day, Stewart! Hope your week is going well!!
ReplyDeleteYou got some great ones there Stewart. Once a year the Whiskered Terns in Menorca give me the runaround. Like you say difficult to follow and focus all a the same time with such erratic flight patterns.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great name. And great flight shots as well! I remember the good old film days.
ReplyDeleteI love that last shot. What a stunning Tern. Not one I've seen and it would be a rarity if I did.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful flight shots. I haven't had much luck with flight shots.
ReplyDeleteGreat shots
ReplyDeleteYou're right about the reflections on the second and third photos
Birds rock
When I saw the Latin name for the Whiskered Tern - Chlidonias hybridus it made me wonder from what it was a hybrid. It was so named because of its similarities between Black terns and White terns (Sterna). There are three geographical races of this bird and you bird is obviously the Australasian Whiskered tern. I think you have done very well to photograph these birds in flight and my favourite is the last one. Stunning.
ReplyDeleteGreat in-flight photos. The light is beautiful and I find a constant challenge to capture the way i really see it.
ReplyDeleteYes, the photos are especially nice when enlarged. We have Least Terns here and they are also very rapid and erratic flyers. As you have found, many of my photos give partial views or open sky. I especially like the action portrayed by the last photo.
ReplyDeleteGreat shots Stewart. We had one of these turn up locally a couple of years ago but not in such good weather as this!
ReplyDeleteA difficult species to capture in flight. Well done Stewart.
ReplyDeleteStunning photos and an elegant bird.
ReplyDeleteGreat flight shots, Stewart! I love the last photo! That's just too cool!
ReplyDeleteNice shots- love that last one- super!
ReplyDeleteThe flight shots (and/or skimming shots) are just amazing ... beautiful birds, beautiful photos.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful shots of the birds in flight! They look so graceful!
ReplyDeleteI am glad you took your time to set up to photograph the Tern. Love the 1st shot. MB
ReplyDeleteA great sequence from the approach into the water. Respect, a great documentation !
ReplyDeleteGreetings from germany
very well taken action shots...
ReplyDeleteThose were great shots! I've never been good at getting birds in flight...you've got the skills!
ReplyDeleteLovely shots! Thanks for hosting, Stewart.
ReplyDeleteHi Stewart,
ReplyDeleteBeautiful flight shots.
I love Terns.
Best regards, Irma
Wonderful "in-flight" shots. That last one is especially cool looking.
ReplyDeleteFabulous Tern shots, I especially like the last one, head down, ready for lunch! You're getting pretty good at this! ;)
ReplyDeleteWonderful shots in action! In flight shots are tough. Looks great!
ReplyDeleteFantastic shots of a beautiful bird. Love that last one!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful tern images Stewart
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy to be linked with you this week. These are the best photos I've ever taken but the sighting was so rare, that I wanted to share. I hope a few people will know what these are and have some stories to share! Thanks! Diane in Florida
ReplyDeleteThose are amazing flight shots, especially the last one.
ReplyDeleteSuperb action shots, Stewart! The last one is fantastic!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely bird you have shared this week. I would imagine that I have seen some species of Tern before when we visited the coastal waters, but I have never had opportunity to see any close. Great share as always~
ReplyDeleteGreat action and so clear!
ReplyDeleteI am so BEHIND!!!! Love your tern shots, especially that last one. Beautiful photos of a beautiful bird!
ReplyDeleteThought your comment about the cross bow on my Willy Nilly post (like I said--BEHIND!) was so interesting! Those armoured rich worrying about being killed by the poor! :-)