Caspian Terns -V- Great Blue Heron Port Orchard, WA 4-19-2024
Apr 21, 2024 18:05:28 #
Dropped off my truck for an oil change. Nice day-60s-so I thought to bring my camera. Just behind the dealership is a nature walk along the waterfront. I parked my arthritic carcass on. bench and observed. About 40 Caspian Terns were frolicking on the short beach in front of me. Thinking it is mating season and the birds are behaving strangely (to me) I followed some of the activity.
The first shot is of a pair doing a mating dance (?). It is barely covered by water. Note the brownish color of the water under the heron. Not sure why the spot is important to transient Caspian Terns.
Then a Great Blue Heron flew up and landed just in that spot.
About 20 individual birds dive bombed the heron while I watched-about 7 minutes. Look closely at the heron's face. It was squawking as well. Hard to hear, though over Caspian cacophony that may be a part of their mating rituals.
BTW- I did not see a tern actually tough the heron. Just a steady stream of threading flybys.
Z9, 600pF.
Download and enjoy!
The first shot is of a pair doing a mating dance (?). It is barely covered by water. Note the brownish color of the water under the heron. Not sure why the spot is important to transient Caspian Terns.
Then a Great Blue Heron flew up and landed just in that spot.
About 20 individual birds dive bombed the heron while I watched-about 7 minutes. Look closely at the heron's face. It was squawking as well. Hard to hear, though over Caspian cacophony that may be a part of their mating rituals.
BTW- I did not see a tern actually tough the heron. Just a steady stream of threading flybys.
Z9, 600pF.
Download and enjoy!
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Apr 21, 2024 18:23:37 #
Wonderful set Timothy. Tells a story. I love the 3rd shot. That Heron sure doesn't appreciate the terns
Apr 21, 2024 18:43:32 #
Apr 21, 2024 19:13:20 #
Apr 21, 2024 19:25:51 #
Apr 21, 2024 19:28:02 #
Sinewsworn wrote:
Dropped off my truck for an oil change. Nice day-6... (show quote)
Thanx! Fuin to watch, too.
Apr 21, 2024 19:28:39 #
Curmudgeon wrote:
What a great action set
Thanx! Took 544 images in less than 1/2 hour!
Apr 21, 2024 19:29:03 #
UTMike wrote:
Tack sharp action, as usual, Tim!
Thanx! More to come...
Apr 21, 2024 19:29:23 #
Apr 21, 2024 19:29:35 #
kpmac wrote:
What a great set, Tim.
Thanx! hard to believe-behind the Ford dealer!
Apr 21, 2024 19:48:37 #
Apr 21, 2024 19:50:24 #
tcthome wrote:
Hey, we were here first! Great set.
Thanx! Yep they were...
Apr 22, 2024 07:51:44 #
Sinewsworn wrote:
Dropped off my truck for an oil change. Nice day-6... (show quote)
Fantastic set!!!Timothy
Apr 22, 2024 09:27:11 #
This is a great series. My favorite is the sixth one - where the heron is really complaining!
Apr 22, 2024 11:56:03 #
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