Least terns mating


Posted by rajandesai on Sat Jun 05, 2021 2:46 pm

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One of my favorite beaches to photograph breeding Least Terns and Piping Plovers is about 65 miles from home. With the sun rising at 5:10 AM these days, I have to leave the house at about 3:15 AM to get to the location before sunrise. I have been making these crazy trips once, even twice every week. The best part of getting there so early is that I have the beach all to myself. There is nothing better than that experience. The least terns are actively setting up nesting territories, finding mates, and are very active. They have an amazing courting and mating ritual where the male brings a fish as a gift for the lady. If she is interested, there is a sort of dance where both of them get in a position and continue to shake their heads... mostly the male is trying to show off his catch to impress the lady. And finally, he gets in a position and mating happens when he offers her the fish. Nature is amazing...
Sony a1 | 600mm + 1.4x TC | Processed using C1 | Cropped from horizontal.


Last edited by rajandesai on Sat Jun 05, 2021 11:26 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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by Ron Day on Sat Jun 05, 2021 6:59 pm
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Absolutely exceptional image, Raman! The poses, the offering, the light, and the background are all top-notch. Congratulations on such a fine image!
 

by Carol Clarke on Sat Jun 05, 2021 7:00 pm
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A really beautiful capture of their mating behaviour, Rajan. Superb image!

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by Gavin Falck on Sun Jun 06, 2021 1:52 am
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Stunning image. Ticks all the boxes for me. Clearly, the early start is well worth it.
 

by david fletcher on Sun Jun 06, 2021 10:28 am
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Carol Clarke wrote:A really beautiful capture of their mating behaviour, Rajan.  Superb image!

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Wonderful image.  Congrats.  Appreciate the info too. Telling story Rajan.
Make your life spectacular!

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