No Tern

"Least Terns make their nests on and lay their eggs directly upon the sand of beaches along the Emerald Coast. By design, their eggs are well-camouflaged so that they blend in very nicely with the surrounding sand.

"This capture is a much-appreciated reminder about the importance of looking about for eggs and nests when walking the beaches in late spring.

“I was doing just that when this tern performed an abrupt fly-by, letting me know that I wasn’t welcome in the vicinity. Instead of quickly retreating, I needed to look around and locate her nest so that I didn’t accidentally trample it during my escape.

“I decided that the best action would be to stay still and allow for her to relax and return to her nest. The hopes of me finding her camouflaged egg(s) were slim, but I knew she would lead me to them. She flew towards me a few more times in what seemed similar to a grizzly bear’s bluff charge. When she flew towards me, she made no turns, but instead flew directly over my head.

“I was able to make this capture on her last charge, just before she returned to her nest and assisted me in knowing which route to take. I left her in peace and sufficiently reminded that when I’m in nature, I’m always a guest in something else's territory.”