Caspian Tern in flight next to the Gulf- Nikon D200, handheld, f6.3, 1/2500, ISO 500, Nikkor 80-400mm VR at 280mm, natural light
Caspian Terns (Hydroprogne caspia) are North America’s largest tern with a wingspan of 50 inches and weighing in at 1.4 pounds. The image above shows an adult going into nonbreeding plumage coming in for a landing at Fort De Soto’s north beach during the month of September.
Caspian Tern on a mudflat – Nikon D200, handheld, f6.3, 1/1000, ISO 160, Nikkor 70-300mm VR at 300mm, natural light
This image shows an adult Caspian Tern in breeding plumage with a solid black, glossy cap, this was taken during the month of May also at Fort De Soto’s north beach.
I am fortunate that I see these large terns here in Utah as well. I usually hear their harsh “kraa” long before I see them. Although I have seen a few lately they will soon be gone to their wintering grounds.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Caspian Tern photos plus facts and information about this species.
Thanks for your comments Bob Z, Nicole, Stu, Bob B, Laurence, Dave, Matthew, Maria, Tammy, Julie, Edith and Ingrid.
Maria, I’d never heard of “Cabot’s Tern” before, I’ve always called them by the name in my bird guide books.
I think I might have mentioned that their call sounds, to me, like the gravelly voice of a barfly. 🙂 Distinctive and always welcome!
Beautiful captures. The first image is amazing.
They are really handsome birds. Nice contrast in plumages.
Beautiful captures of these handsome terns!
I had an encounter with the Cabot’s (or Sandwich) terns, this one is very striking and bigger. Nice action shot.
Great photos of a very striking species!
Mia:
Good work getting the catch light in the Caspian Terns. It’s strange that I rarely see Caspian Terns in the Pensacola area. We get Royal and Gull-billed, but I don’t have any photos of Caspian taken locally. I find them in Louisiana and, of course, at Ft. Desoto, but they seem to fly over this area.
Dave
Beautiful Mia! Magnificent bird, magnificent shots.
Love ’em. You can get them over here, but not very many. Brilliant shots.
Great Photograph Mia. One good Tern… 😉 It is great that nature never held back on the use of color for birds… the bill on this tern looks hand painted. Wonderful
Beautiful! I don’t know if I’ve ever seen one before!!!
That’s one big tern. Great shots, Mia.