Pic of the Day

Least Tern, Sternula antillarum:  Tern Colony; Biloxi, Mississippi

Nikon D800, Nikkor 500mm f/4, 1/3200 second @ f/9

Pic of the Day

Least Tern, Stemula antillarum:  Least Tern Colony; Biloxi, Mississippi

     Taken at one of the Least Tern colonies between Between Biloxi, and Gulf Port, Mississippi. The female was sitting on eggs when this handsome fellow flew in with a fish for her (out of focus in the background).  She jumped up as soon as he touched the sand and turned to give her the fish. Unfortunately, all I got of the transfer was the tail end of the tern.  Thought you might like this angle better.

Nikon D800, Nikkor 500mm f/4, 1/3200 second @ f8

Pic of the Day

Least Tern, Sternula antillarum;  Biloxi, Mississippi

    One of the great spectacles of the bird world is the Least Tern colony at Biloxi, Mississippi.  Thousands of terns and hundreds of black skimmers arrive in May to nest on the public beaches along a dozen miles of the Mississippi gulf coast.

    The birds nest right up to the sidewalks and give bird watchers and photographers fantastic viewing opportunities.  I took this photo from a sidewalk that runs along side one of the colonies.  I just happened to be in the right place when one of the terns arrived with a fish.

Nikon D300, Nikkor 500mm f4, 1/640 second @ f8

Recently Published Work

     My most recent column with Creation Illustrated is out.  The article is about the Least Tern colony on the Biloxi, Mississippi coast.  If you are interested in subscribing to Creation Illustrated go to:  http://www.creationillustrated.com

Pic of the Day

    Least Tern – Biloxi, Mississippi:  This tern was photographed at a colony located south of Highway US90 between Biloxi and Gulfport, Mississippi.  The colony is one of, if not the largest least tern colony in the world.  Getting close to the terns is easy as they nest right up to the sidewalk used by beach goers to access the waterfront. 

      While I was walking along the edge of the colony looking for a nest I could photograph from the sidewalk one morning, this fellow flew in to drive me away.  The bird used numerous tactics in which the most invasive were swooping upon me and pecking my head, to hovering over me and defecating.  I prefer the head pecking above the latter.  I have learned from experience that a hat is an essential piece of gear, and just plain ole common sense tells me to keep my mouth shut. 

       I used a 300mm lens attached to a gunstock mount to take the image. The Gunstock is my favorite method for shooting birds in flight as it allows for maneuverability, a quick aim and a steady shot.  That maneuvrability thing is important when terns start defecating.  
     The tern spent only a few minutes in its attacks before flying back to the depression in the sand that we call a nest, but as I continued my search other terns took its place.  Eventually I found the right nest in the right place to photograph, absent of the head pecking and, well, the other.


Nikon F5, Nikkor 300mm 2.8, Fuji Provia 100