Caspian Tern

Caspian Tern flying overhead.
Caspian Tern, Bill Jarvis Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Chicago, IL April 12, 2023
Canon EOS R5 with Canon 100-500 mm L-series lens with 1.4x Teleconverter; 700 mm; ISO-400; f/11; 1/800 sec.

This page is for the Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia). My first photographic evidence of a Caspian Tern occurred on April 12, 2023 while I had some free time in Chicago after flying there for a conference so I went to a couple of bird sanctuaries on a beautiful spring day. It was nice to see something new among all the Ring-billed Gulls flying around.

Dozens of Caspian Terns on an island that is used for raising their young. There are nearly as many chicks as adults. One adult is flying in with a fish in its beak.
Caspian Tern, San Joaquin Marsh, Irvine, CA, June 18, 2023
Canon EOS R5 with Canon 100-500 mm L-series lens with 1.4x Teleconverter; 700 mm; ISO-2000; f/11; 1/320 sec.
Caspian Tern flying overhead with a fish in its beak.
Caspian Tern, San Joaquin Marsh, Irvine, CA, June 19, 2023
Canon EOS R5 with Canon 100-500 mm L-series lens with 1.4x Teleconverter; 700 mm; ISO-800; f/11; 1/800 sec.
Caspian Tern flying nearby.
Caspian Tern, San Joaquin Marsh, Irvine, CA, June 20, 2023
Canon EOS R5 with Canon 100-500 mm L-series lens with 1.4x Teleconverter; 700 mm; ISO-500; f/10; 1/800 sec.
Caspian Term getting a drink of water on the fly. Water is dripping off of its bill as it is flying.
Caspian Tern, San Joaquin Marsh, Irvine, CA, June 20, 2023
Canon EOS R5 with Canon 100-500 mm L-series lens with 1.4x Teleconverter; 700 mm; ISO-800; f/11 ; 1/800 sec.
Caspian Tern in the shallow water near an island with its two chicks.
Caspian Tern, San Joaquin Marsh, Irvine, CA, June 20, 2023
Canon EOS R5 with Canon 100-500 mm L-series lens with 1.4x Teleconverter; 700 mm; ISO-640; f/11; 1/800 sec.
Caspian Tern standing on the shore next to two Laughing Gulls.
Caspian Tern, Port Aransas, TX, February 23, 2024
Canon EOS R5 with Canon 100-500 mm L-series lens; 700 mm; ISO-400; f/11; 1/1000 sec.