Common Tern in Flight

 

The Tern flies with a small catch to a safe place.

Generally, life is good.

Common Tern is Looking for Fish

 

A group of Common Terns fly in a chaotic way and hover in the air and then they dive in the water and emerge out of it with fish in their bills.  There are so much action that I hardly know where to point my lens. 

When Terns are hovering in the air, they look so vulnerable with their short thin legs are hanging down and the wings are flapping so fast.  I am always touched by this vulnerability, and if I manage to capture it in at least one photo, I am happy.

I photographed this Common Tern last June.  Today is snowing.  Winter has arrived.

Generally, life is good!

Elegant Cousins of Gulls

 

Terns are the elegant cousins of gulls, and most species eat only small fish.  Finding fish is a challenge for these birds. They have to fly at low hight, scanning for fish that is close to the surface.

When they find fish they stop in the air and hover waiting for the right moment and then drop straight into the water headfirst, hoping that they can close their bill around a fish.

Sometimes Common Terns fish together.

It seems that Tern while flying always look down. I have never seen them rest on the water, instead they take off immediately after capturing fish.

That morning was cold with icy wind.  I tried to ignore the strong wind but it was blowing sand and I had to stop photographing Terns to protect my camera. 

Generally, life is good!