Wednesday 10 June 2015

Wild Bird Wednesday 150 - Crested Tern

Hard to believe its just under a year since I was thinking - wow 100 WBWs, but the passage of the years does not lie.

Todays pictures are of one of our ore cooperative birds - the Crested Tern.  It's not that these birds are tame, or even used to people feeding them (and no, I did not lure the ducks towards me with bread last week, I just waited until some other people did!), but at least these birds don't fly off at the very sight of a person with a camera.

These shots were taken at two different locations - the first set at Swan Bay Jetty, nr. Point Lonsdale and the second on the beach at Ocean Grove.  Both of these locations are on the Bellarine Peninsula, to the west of Melbourne.

If Silver Gulls are our default gull in this part of the world, then the Crested Tern is the default tern. None of these birds are in their full breeding plumage - but they still look pretty good.  These birds at a little over 40cm from tip to tail and have a wing span of about 100cm.  So all in all they are a good looking bird.

You can see that it is raining in the second set of pictures - which just shows the lengths I go to to keep WBW up and running!







So, now it's over to you - click the blue button and join in.  (I will be 'on the road' this week, so replies may be slow!)


50 comments:

  1. Thank you for keeping this site running. It's a great way to meet other bird aficionados. Here's to another 100 more! As for the Tern, gorgeous shots as always, one decided to visit the US this year causing a huge craze. Pretty nice bird to have around!

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  2. Beautiful poses despite the rain. Thanks for going the extra mile (in the rain).

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  3. You are so GOOD to keep WBW going! Your dedication - even in the rain - is admirable!

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  4. Thanks Stewart for doing such a great job at hosting WBW. I love your Tern shots, awesome captures. The Terns I see here are some of my favorite birds, they have such a crazy attitude.

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  5. They have got really long beaks.

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  6. Such great captures as always, Stewart! Beautiful Tern shots!! I really love these!! Hope your week is going well! Enjoy!!

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  7. Tern are all a funny bird ,great photos ,nette

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  8. The terns are so amusing, to me they have such a comical expression, especially the one with the yawn. So fun! I went to the beach and hoped to get some shorebirds but only managed to get some Barn Swallows, who do like to fly over the waves.

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  9. cool kids, and they know it. :)

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  10. I'm glad you are keeping WBW running strong. It's my favorite link. Birds. What's not to like?

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  11. Beautiful shots, Stewart. Thanks for hosting this great site.

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  12. Great photos of the Crested Terns. They are interesting birds to watch. Do any breed down south near you or just disperse there for the non-breeding season?

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  13. Many thanks Stewart for your continued commitment to WBW.

    Super shots of a super species.

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  14. Terns...any kind are some of my favorite shore birds!!

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  15. The Terns are so aerodynamic and gorgeous. I have not seen a crested tern before and I think they are a handsome lot. I think the rain gave your second set of pictures a rather misty effect giving them more character than the first. You are getting rather good at this photography thing ... I must say I am impressed :) Hope you are on the road to a fun place (though I know it is for work) and can find some new birds for us. We do all appreciate what you go through to keep WBW running in it's best form. Thank you Stewart, you're the best!


    Andrea @ Fronm the Sol

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  16. Excellent pics - rain and all!

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  17. Love the Crested Terns - I think I even like the rain shots the best!

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  18. You're like the postman....

    Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.

    I love the photo of the two standing in the water ....it's lovely...

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  19. I like that you do bird studies. I'll probably never get to see these birds in person, so it's to see how they live. And rain does make for nice pictures. Glad you are not a whimp.

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  20. These aare beautiful terns even in the rain. Thanks for hosting especially when you are so busy

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  21. Great post for the 150 well done.

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  22. Congratulations on the latest milestone Stewart and some great birds to celebrate with. Nice to see that you still get some gold old British weather down there.

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  23. This is great, Stewart. Now I know the real Tern, instead of just the folding bicycle.
    Lovely snaps!
    Thanks for hosting and Have a Wonderful Day!
    Peace :)

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  24. I still think terns look like Peter Boyle...

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  25. Absolutely beautiful shots! Peace, Janice.

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  26. Your diligence is appreciated, Stewart! That last shot, 3 in a row is my favorite, nicely captured!

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  27. What birders will do for a photograph! I like a bird that will wait patiently while we get our camera settings in order. Today's Eastern Towhee was a busy little fellow, I wondered if I'd ever get a shot I could use.Thanks for hosting! You're staying busy, hopefully that means opportunities to see more birds.

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  28. Excellent photos of the terns, Stewart. They remind me of our Royal Terns. The second and last photos are my favorites. Thanks for continuing to host this site, it's much appreciated! Have a great Wednesday!

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  29. They do look enormous for a Tern, but not one that I've ever been able to see. Sometimes the lure of bread is just too much.

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  30. Hi Stewart,
    Beautiful pictures of this Crested Tern.
    Photo 4, 5 and 6 are my favorite.
    Best regards, Irma

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  31. Hi Stewart, its been a while since I posted on WBW as I just hadn't been getting out enough to produce anything worth while. Anyway like an old friend its good to be back.

    Great images of the Terns, its always a bonus when a species really does cooperate for the cameraman...... good work
    Dave

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  32. First picture is outstanding Stewart...

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  33. To Stewart and everyone, can you tell me why I cant post comments on here

    http://modestoviegas.blogspot.pt/

    I would love to leave feedback but I guess he doesn't allow it?

    Cheers
    Dave

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  34. Stewart, on to the next century mark. Thanks for sharing.

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  35. Excellent shots of an interesting bird. A wonderful 'tern' of events--oh I could go on but I won't.
    MB

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  36. These photos are so artistically done! Just beautiful shots of your "default" tern! :-)

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  37. Great photos..love the Terns along the coastline..No birdies this week..May do crows on Friday but the pictures are pretty bad.. Enjoy your travels..

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  38. You got some pretty terrific shots of the beauties!

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  39. Wonderful shots.

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  40. That shore is a nice set of birdie pics, Stewart!

    ;-)

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  41. Amazing photos! I always enjoy seeing what you're "seeing!"

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  42. Very striking photos and birds, Stewart. I especially like the ones with the terns against the dream-like-looking background. Best, Babsje

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  43. Such an interesting bird. I like how they always look like they are in formation when in groups.

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  44. nice pictures
    dazzlingzest.blogspot.com

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  45. Great shots. I would not want to mess with that beak. Looks rather dangerous.

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  46. Tern! Tern! Tern! I think I hear a song coming on! :)

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