Royal Terns

I’ve captured the Royal Tern before in past years, but found I hadn’t listed it on my lifer list. Bad slip on my part!

This time I’m not missing the chance, adding the Royal Tern as #197.

I found Royal Terns in their non-breeding plumage around the Everglades NP Gulf Coast location. They favored the channel markers.

Royal Terns

Royal Terns are graceful flyers and reside along warm saltwater coasts.

Royal Tern

Royal Tern in flight

Royal Terns Close-up

Don’t you just love those shaggy crests?!! 🙂

Tags: birding, Everglades NP, flight, Florida, Gulf Coast, non-breeding, photography, royal, tern

44 thoughts on “Royal Terns”

David Jenkins on 02/23/2020 at 5:34 AM said:

with those crests, they do look a lot like our Crested Terns.
Lovely closeup, the details are exceptional.
Nail that #197 !

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- bayphotosbydonna on 02/23/2020 at 6:35 AM said:
  
  Thank you, David! 😊
  
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William Wise on 02/23/2020 at 6:09 AM said:

Great shots! Love the glint in the eye of the bird on the right in the bottom photo. When I as at Hilton Head Island for week during this past Christmas, I got to find out their behavior is as funny as their appearance! I had time to watch several terns as they just stood there on the beach, but at times turning toward each other and squawking quite a bit. William

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emberbear on 02/23/2020 at 6:10 AM said:

Wonderful photos. Their crests make them look like old fashioned attorneys somehow.

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- bayphotosbydonna on 02/23/2020 at 6:45 AM said:
  
  Thank you, Imorgana! Great description! I just commented to William, they also look like a bunch of Moes from the Three Stooges. 😉
  
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  - emberbear on 02/23/2020 at 8:16 AM said:
    
    They are certainly birds of great character! Seeing your photos is one of the highlights of my day. 😃
  - bayphotosbydonna on 02/23/2020 at 8:34 AM said:
    
    You made me smile, Imorgana! I am so happy you enjoy my photos!! 😊
blhphotoblog on 02/23/2020 at 6:32 AM said:

You were on 192 the other day have I missed 4?
Lovely shots Donna.

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- bayphotosbydonna on 02/23/2020 at 7:00 AM said:
  
  Awwww….you noticed, Brian! 🙂 I was reviewing my list and marveling it, lol, then saw the Royal Tern was not on it. What??!!! Hold the press!!!! So I sat and literally went through my list and my bird photo filing system one by one and found I hadn’t listed the Limpkin I just previously posted as well as three others from past couple years. 😲 I won’t let that happen again! lol
  
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bayphotosbydonna on 02/23/2020 at 6:43 AM said:

Thank you, William! I want to giggle when I look at them and their crests are up; I see a bunch of Moes from the Three Stooges! 😅 Although the ones I photographed were calm and quiet, I learned they are one of the noisiest terns, their colony at night squawks continuously. 🙂

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Alittlebitoutoffocus on 02/23/2020 at 7:52 AM said:

They look perfectly designed to face a stiff breeze when perched! And now even nearer the magical 200. 👍😊

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- bayphotosbydonna on 02/23/2020 at 8:33 AM said:
  
  Thank you, Mike! That 200 number sure is getting more exciting!! 😊
  
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susanhale828gmailcom on 02/23/2020 at 8:28 AM said:

Beautiful photos and detail Donna – as always! 🙂 I love their positions, and the way they all line up parallel to each other. You obviously are in an ideal spot and weather for capturing so many different and interesting birds. I love that you are sharing them with us. The next best thing (but not a replacement) to being there!

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- bayphotosbydonna on 02/23/2020 at 9:24 PM said:
  
  Thank you, Susan! It is bird heaven here, I am enjoying it very much, as well as the weather. 🙂 We’ve been to Shark Valley that you mentioned, that was very nice, we’ve been taking our bikes and riding the 15 mile loop. Hard to bike and take photos, lol, I’ve just been enjoying the ride and scenery there….and avoiding the alligators crossing the bike path! 🙂
  
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Flavia Vinci on 02/23/2020 at 8:48 AM said:

Wow! I didn’t know these species but thanks to your shots now I do. They are all amazing 😍

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- bayphotosbydonna on 02/23/2020 at 9:26 PM said:
  
  Thank you, Flavia! They tickle me when I see them, like a bunch of old bald guys hanging out. 😉
  
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  - Flavia Vinci on 02/24/2020 at 1:37 AM said:
    
    Many thanks to you for sharing those beauties 😍
Reed Andariese on 02/23/2020 at 9:02 AM said:

Beautiful images Donna! Enjoyed seeing them!

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- bayphotosbydonna on 02/23/2020 at 9:28 PM said:
  
  Thank you, Reed!
  
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Susan on 02/23/2020 at 10:17 AM said:

Donna, I thoroughly enjoy your photos as you travel and photograph our beautiful birds. You are very talented and love that you share with us not so talented.

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- bayphotosbydonna on 02/23/2020 at 9:32 PM said:
  
  Thank you, Susan! Nice to hear from you, hope all is well! We hope to be back to LGMR April/May. 🙂
  
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Indira on 02/23/2020 at 11:09 AM said:

Lovely birds and their pictures! I like that hairstyle 🙂

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- bayphotosbydonna on 02/23/2020 at 9:36 PM said:
  
  Thank you, Indira! Cool dudes with the do’s! 😉
  
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The Hinoeuma on 02/23/2020 at 3:24 PM said:

Shaggy crests… I was thinking Maybelline-enhanced eye lashes patterned with Hollywood orange lipstick. How very Vogue! “I’m ready for my close-up, Mr. DeMille!” 😉🤩😍😘👀💋😎😆

Just gorgeous…

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- bayphotosbydonna on 02/23/2020 at 9:37 PM said:
  
  Thank you, Vic, you have me laughing! Great description!!! 😍
  
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  - The Hinoeuma on 02/23/2020 at 11:56 PM said:
    
    Happy to entertain! 😁😎
denisebushphoto on 02/23/2020 at 3:29 PM said:

Your cover image of the pair had me thinking about when human couples look like one another. Great captures Donna! They are a handsome bird!

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- bayphotosbydonna on 02/23/2020 at 9:39 PM said:
  
  Thank you, Denise! I’ve got the giggles now with yours and the last comment of Vic’s! I can see that! 😍
  
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Eliza Waters on 02/23/2020 at 4:56 PM said:

Such a handsome bird!

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- bayphotosbydonna on 02/23/2020 at 9:40 PM said:
  
  They be stylin’! 😉
  
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  - Eliza Waters on 02/24/2020 at 9:29 AM said:
    
    Yes, they are! 😀
belindagroverphotography on 02/23/2020 at 5:53 PM said:

I do like their “dos”. Nice series, Donna!

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- bayphotosbydonna on 02/23/2020 at 9:41 PM said:
  
  Thank you, Belinda! 😊
  
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tootlepedal on 02/23/2020 at 5:53 PM said:

The answer to your final question is, Yes.

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- bayphotosbydonna on 02/23/2020 at 9:41 PM said:
  
  😊
  
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T Ibara Photo on 02/23/2020 at 6:38 PM said:

Beautiful!

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- bayphotosbydonna on 02/23/2020 at 9:50 PM said:
  
  Thank you, Takami!
  
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Ellen Jennings on 02/24/2020 at 11:26 AM said:

I love watching these goofy fellows, too, Donna. You captured some nice images of them showing off their colors.

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- bayphotosbydonna on 02/24/2020 at 5:32 PM said:
  
  Thank you, Ellen! At least they don’t look like a bunch of old guys when their breeding and have a ‘full head of hair’! LOL 😉
  
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Jane's Heartsong on 02/24/2020 at 6:28 PM said:

The shaggy crests made me laugh, looking like cool dudes!

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- bayphotosbydonna on 02/24/2020 at 10:28 PM said:
  
  I can’t help but seeing Larry of the Three Stooges also!
  
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  - Tofino Photography on 02/26/2020 at 2:15 AM said:
    
    I was thinking the same thing Donna! Also what a Gull would look like with a Groucho Marks hair do!
circadianreflections on 02/26/2020 at 10:26 AM said:

You had a great sequential series going there for a bit! 😀 The in-flight images are great.

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- bayphotosbydonna on 02/28/2020 at 9:53 AM said:
  
  Thank you, Deborah!
  
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