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
Royal Terns
Royal Terns are graceful flyers and reside along warm saltwater coasts.
Royal Tern in flight
Royal Terns Close-up
Don’t you just love those shaggy crests?!! 🙂
with those crests, they do look a lot like our Crested Terns.
Lovely closeup, the details are exceptional.
Nail that #197 !
Thank you, David! 😊
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
Wonderful photos. Their crests make them look like old fashioned attorneys somehow.
Thank you, Imorgana! Great description! I just commented to William, they also look like a bunch of Moes from the Three Stooges. 😉
They are certainly birds of great character! Seeing your photos is one of the highlights of my day. 😃
You made me smile, Imorgana! I am so happy you enjoy my photos!! 😊
You were on 192 the other day have I missed 4?
Lovely shots Donna.
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
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. 🙂
They look perfectly designed to face a stiff breeze when perched! And now even nearer the magical 200. 👍😊
Thank you, Mike! That 200 number sure is getting more exciting!! 😊
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!
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! 🙂
Wow! I didn’t know these species but thanks to your shots now I do. They are all amazing 😍
Thank you, Flavia! They tickle me when I see them, like a bunch of old bald guys hanging out. 😉
Many thanks to you for sharing those beauties 😍
Beautiful images Donna! Enjoyed seeing them!
Thank you, Reed!
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.
Thank you, Susan! Nice to hear from you, hope all is well! We hope to be back to LGMR April/May. 🙂
Lovely birds and their pictures! I like that hairstyle 🙂
Thank you, Indira! Cool dudes with the do’s! 😉
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…
Thank you, Vic, you have me laughing! Great description!!! 😍
Happy to entertain! 😁😎
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!
Thank you, Denise! I’ve got the giggles now with yours and the last comment of Vic’s! I can see that! 😍
Such a handsome bird!
They be stylin’! 😉
Yes, they are! 😀
I do like their “dos”. Nice series, Donna!
Thank you, Belinda! 😊
The answer to your final question is, Yes.
😊
Beautiful!
Thank you, Takami!
I love watching these goofy fellows, too, Donna. You captured some nice images of them showing off their colors.
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 😉
The shaggy crests made me laugh, looking like cool dudes!
I can’t help but seeing Larry of the Three Stooges also!
I was thinking the same thing Donna! Also what a Gull would look like with a Groucho Marks hair do!
You had a great sequential series going there for a bit! 😀 The in-flight images are great.
Thank you, Deborah!