Arctic Tern Attack

Another bird I wanted to capture in flight was the Arctic Tern. These birds nest on Inner Farne,  and you have to take great care that you don't step on a chick or an egg as you walk along the paths around the island. As you get very close to the nests, the birds are quite aggressive in protecting their young, attacking passers by on a regular basis. It was a shot of an aggressive bird against a blue sky that I was after.

But first, here are a few more standard shots of Arctic Tern in flight. These initial shots are taken at the longer end of the 15-85mm lens or using my 100-400 IS lens.

Arctic Tern in flightInner Farne, Farnes Island, Northumberland.

Arctic Tern in flightInner Farne, Farnes Island, Northumberland.

Arctic Tern in flightInner Farne, Farnes Island, Northumberland.

Arctic Tern in flightInner Farne, Farnes Island, Northumberland.

As I say, these birds are quite aggressive in protecting their nests - a hat is advisable. These following shots are taken using my 15-85 mm lens, often at the 15mm end. It was very hit and miss, but I got a couple of shots that really show an Arctic Tern attack!!

Arctic Tern in flightInner Farne, Farnes Island, Northumberland.

Arctic Tern attackInner Farne, Farnes Island, Northumberland.

Arctic Tern attackInner Farne, Farnes Island, Northumberland.

Arctic Tern attackInner Farne, Farnes Island, Northumberland.

Arctic Tern attackInner Farne, Farnes Island, Northumberland.

The above images were taken on Day 1 when the sky was blue. Day 3 was a lot cloudier -  producing a different kind of image, this time with two birds in the frame.

Arctic Tern attackInner Farne, Farnes Island, Northumberland.

There will be more Arctic Terns in a later post.