Juvenile White-Fronted Tern

I had a wonderful morning with mpp26 at Waikuku estuary blipping terns. Thank you M for all the tips, I'll now be practising until next time :)

It was cloudy above with pockets of sun shining through, the light was forever changing with sea mist hugging the coastline north and south in the distance. A high tide saw the estuary meeting the Pacific Ocean in places, we had to watch our feet and be aware of our surroundings, certainly didn't want to get stranded.

I liked the markings and darker leading edge of this young White-fronted tern with its opened beak. A hard decision today, here are the others. All my terns were eyeless today, very hard to get when they're so dark.

Scientific name: Sterna striata
Maori name: Tara
Protected and native.

Not to bad in large.

Great day by the sea with lovely company, thanks M!

Happy Tuesday everyone :)