Monday 9 May 2011

Common Tern.


A bit of pointing skywards for this weeks WORLD BIRD WEDNESDAY entry.
 
During a recent visit to Stodmarsh, Kent I failed miserably at getting any decent flight shots of a Hobby or a Marsh Harrier but an overflying Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) just managed to get into the frame.

You have to marvel at the distances this species travels from West and South Africa just to find a lake with a floating raft here in the UK so it can breed before its return ticket southwards expires in October.    FAB.

37 comments:

  1. Great captures Frank.
    A real flying machine these birds.

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  2. Birding is Fun. Cheers Robert.

    Thanks very much Rebecca.

    Thanks Keith. They certainly zip around!

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  3. Hi there - I'm always pleased when I flight shot comes off, so I assume you must be very pleased with these.

    Splendid picture.

    Stewart M - Australia

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  4. Superb shots Frank. How's your neck. lol.

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  5. Beautiful flight shots Frank..Common in name only for my patch but what a beautiful bird to see.

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  6. Great action shots!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

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  7. Great in-flight photos of the Tern. They are always beautiful to watch flying around.

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  8. Great flight pics Frank! The Common Tern is not the easiest bird to get a flight shot.

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  9. Wonderful in flight shots. I love all the Terrns, they are cool birds to watch!

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  10. Hi Stewart. cheers. Definitely chuffed bearing in mind all the others I had to dump!

    Thanks Trevor (The Herald). No problem, it's been getting plenty of excercise!!

    Thanks Andrew. Far better than the long distant 'perched' shots via the scope.

    Thanks Gary.

    Cheers Mick. They do have amazing acrobatic skills.

    Thanks flallrpan.

    MaineBirder. Cheers John, I don't think I'll get a closer opportunity for a while.

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  11. Thanks Eileen. They certainly make arial manoeuvres look easy.

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  12. Nice captures Frank! Bird flying into frame...A devine accident? Thing is, you have to be out there trying!

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  13. Cheers Springman. Point, focus, press and my luck was in, this time!

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  14. Great pictures of them in flight. Those of us who try to capture them in flight knows how difficult it can be.

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  15. Thanks Bill S. For me the chance shots seem to come off far better than when I actually try to plan a shot!

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  16. Wow! Fantastic captures!

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  17. another miracle of nature!! SO well done--lovely shots.

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  18. Thank you Marissa.

    Cheers Amila.

    Thanks Sondra. Just a pity the raptors didn't fly in so close .. unlike yours.

    Hi joo. Great to hear from you. Hope your recovery will be speedy.

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  19. Great shots! The terns are beautiful, and I really like the shape to the tail.

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  20. Thanks Pat. The streamers get longer in the older adults.

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  21. Your common terns are something between shot and painting, becouse of light. I think. Beautiful shots! I so other stots too, and I follow you now!

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  22. Hi Marias. A very warm welcome to FABirding and I appreciate your compliments.

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  23. Gorgeous image Frank. So graceful this tern. Carol

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  24. Thanks Carol. Their speed and manouvreability is amazing.

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  25. beautiful photos, the terns have such lovely shapes in flight

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  26. Great captures Frank. Very cool.Thanks for visiting http://wwwmysrilanka.blogspot.com

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  27. Awesome in flight captures! It's not an easy task to take fantastic photographs such as these. Both look like beautiful paintings. Fabulous!

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  28. Hi Crafty Green Poet. Thank you.

    Cheers Shifan.

    Hi Julie. Thanks very much. I appreciate the compliment.

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  29. Wonderful shots!
    Very regal looking bird. :)

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  30. Thanks Carletta. Not quite as regal as a Royal Tern though.

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  31. I also marvel at these shots...stunning!

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  32. Hi Jeanne. Thanks very much.

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I hope you enjoyed your visit and I appreciate your comments.