This series started with the first movements to dive and followed the Terns swift twisting dive, hitting the water, and finally catching his fish.
I admit to being completely surprised by photographing the entire hunt. This doesn’t happen very often no matter how much practice we have.
Above the Tern was just beginning a descent after hovering while looking for fish. Once they spot prey the dive is a quick fall directly to the target.
A dive is first controlled by the outstretched wings, that changes when the bird fully commits.
Click, or double tap, any image to view the gallery.
This was photographed at an old rice field that is adjacent to the Ashley River, South Carolina. Terns will fly up river to fish in the marshes.
Breathtaking! Very elegant bird in his dive.
They are incredibly fast and agile. I missed most all my shots at first. It was a good thing they missed the fish at first too. We both needed a second chance 🙂