On a work trip to Kansas back in mid-June of this year, I found a few extra hours to visit the nearby birding wonderland of Quivira National Wildlife Refuge. The legendary spring shorebird migration was largely over by the time of my visit; however, I was pleased to visit during a summer when droughts were not nearly as bad as I experienced in previous summer visits to this location. I was able to actually find some birds during this trip, including: more shorebirds than I expected, fledgling Black-necked Stilt and American Avocet, Snowy Plovers attempting their second nests of the season, and the subject of today’s post—the Black Tern.
Add the Black Tern to the 50 or so species that make up my top ten favorite birds. Although this species shows up in eastern Missouri during migration, they are sporadic and unpredictable. So, whenever I find the opportunity to photograph these guys, I make sure to make the most of whatever opportunity I have. Black Terns nest at Quivira NWR, and some of the birds pictured here likely were on nests or already raising young.
The direction of the wind and angle of the sun where not to my advantage during the period these guys were close enough to get photos. I tried my best and I think these were worth the effort.
A Thousand Acres of Silphiums 