On a drive on Wildlife Drive at Edwin B Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge, I kept hearing splash sounds in the ponds on either side of the drive. They were made by dozens of Forster’s Terns as they dove into the water to catch small fish. The Terns were amazingly energetic and fast, perhaps not to the level of Peregrine Falcons, but still way too fast for me. By the time I heard a splash sound, they were already in and out of the water, climbing toward the sky.
I tried to photograph them diving but found that I missed them practically all the time. Finally, I stopped following them with my camera as they were flying around, and aimed it at an an area of a pond where many Terns were diving, and then waited. As soon as I heard a splash, I clicked on the shutter. The images shown below are combined from two passes around Wildlife Drive.
The following photo is not sharp, but the Tern’s speed left me no time to react and focus properly.
amaranto es said:
Unfortunately I bugger off into’t live(a) near the refuge and give to effort 2 hours to bugger off there. awe-inspiring series of activity shots Hien, I could sit down all Clarence Shepard Day Jr. and spotter diving birds.
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bluebrightly said:
🙂 another bird I’m crazy about – terns! They’re so graceful. And SO fast – what a challenge to photograph.
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neihtn2012 said:
They are like acrobats, very fast ones!
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Dalo 2013 said:
Awesome series of action shots Hien, I could sit all day and watch diving birds.
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neihtn2012 said:
Thank you Randall. Unfortunately I don’t live near the refuge and have to drive 2 hours to get there. Otherwise I would be there all day.
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Mary said:
Graceful and determined Hien, great series of photographs.
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neihtn2012 said:
Thank you Mary!
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Sue Slaght said:
You are amazing at capturing birds in action. These are extraordinary transporting me right to the scene with you. Wonderful!
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neihtn2012 said:
Thank you Sue!
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nhi said:
Great capture, anh Hiền
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neihtn2012 said:
Thank you Anh Nhi!
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Eliza Waters said:
Terns are captivating to watch. Love the way the splash was captured!
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neihtn2012 said:
Thanks Eliza! I try take their photos every year, and am slowing improving each year. 🙂
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Krishna KK said:
sea foods are delicious.. Thanks.
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neihtn2012 said:
Thanks!
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quietsolopursuits said:
I’ve never been able to catch a tern in a dive, they’re too quick for me, even though I’ve practiced on gulls, which dive similarly to terns, but slower. You did very well as far as I’m concerned!
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neihtn2012 said:
They are very quick indeed, Jerry. Maybe some kind of timer/trigger device to take a photo whenever they dive would help.
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de Wets Wild said:
Terrific action captures, Hien!
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neihtn2012 said:
Thank you so much, Dries!
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Indah Susanti said:
Great tips! Patience makes amazing images 🙂 Well captured!
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neihtn2012 said:
Thanks Indah! I’ve learned to be more patient with time. Maybe we all do.
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loisajay said:
Yikes, Hien! That is one nosedive the bird took! Did he not know you weren’t ready?! 😀
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neihtn2012 said:
He was testing me, Lois! Thanks for commenting.
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