May 3, 2020 - Forster's Terns

We were back in the Twin Cities for a couple of days this week. With spring migration in full swing, I went looking for some birds and found 12 Forster’s Terns at the south end of Lake Vadnais in Shoreview. It was nice to see them in full breeding plumage. They don’t nest here so they are just passing through.

TernForster'sflightVadnaisLakeShoreview20200501

I see Forster’s Terns every day when we are down in Florida during January and February. Here’s a photo of one that I took this year. Notice how their winter plumage differs from their breeding plumage. In the previous photo, the head is covered with a black cap and half the beak is orange.

TernForstersflightSikesCutthePlantatationGeorgeIsland20200119

There were some sticks poking out of the shallow water, so I took photos of the birds landing with their wings stretched above them.

TernForster'slandingVadnaisLakeShoreview20200501

Here’s an interesting configuration of the wings. The tail is spread wide to help slow the bird down as it approaches its landing spot.

TernForster'spairinteractingVadnaisLakeShoreview20200501

I started taking a burst of shots as I saw these two birds interacting. I thought they were squabbling about a place to perch.

TernForster'spairinteractingVadnaisLakeShoreview20200501

I didn’t know what was really happening until I got the photos on my computer and saw that I had caught them in the act of mating.

TernForster'smatingVadnaisLakeShoreview20200501

The amorous couple then decided to sit together for a while.

TernForster'spairVadnaisLakeShoreview20200501

This photo even gave me a front view and a side view in one frame. I used several photos like this in my Bird Mug Shots book.

TernForster'smugshotVadnaisLakeShoreview20200501