An excellent article indeed with some lovely photos. I especially like the ones of the hovering Terns. I have spent hundreds of hours this summer up at the tern colony at Doffcocker lodge, Bolton and I think for getting close to the birds this spot cannot be beaten. Here the juveniles literally land at your feet less than 15 feet away. For the last two years the chicks have been colour ringed and they have done very well. These birds exhibit the most amazing behaviour and along with your article I have learnt so much more, nice one!
I have now had a chance to look at the article...good one as well if I may say so. Excellent set of photos too so congrats John. It is always good for a photographer to 'work the subject' i.e. get the bird from every angle and displaying all forms of behaviour and if possible under different light conditions.
john and ian,super article and lovely photo,s,i,ll try a bit harder at the colony next year, now i,ve got my county list off the base line,john it might be old hat to you but can you advise on camera settings for those in flight shots,
CHEERS IAN-THE TIME SPENT STUDYING THE TERNS TO GET THE BEST SHOTS ARE MADE WORTH WHILE IF EVERYONE ENJOYS THEM ,AND I MUST THANK IAN FOR PUBLISHING THEM AND WRITING THE ARTICLE.I LEARNED FROM IT AND HOPE OTHERS DO.IT TOOK 3 WEEKENDS TO FIND THE EXACT SPOT WHERE THE TERNS WERE FISHING AND THEN PROBABLY 6 HOURS SITTING IN THE SAME SPOT TO GET THE RIGHT SHOTS.I DON'T THINK IM UP TO ADRIANS STANDARD,AND MY EQUIPMENT IS WELL INFERIOR TO ADRIANS.BUT I ONLY TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS FOR PLEASURE REALY AND TO PASS THEM ON TO WHOEVER WANTS THEM SO IM REALY HAPPY YOU LIKE THE TERN SHOTS