Clearwater Beach - Royal Tern

It was fantastic to get close to the Sandwich Terns, but there was an even more impressive Tern on the beach as well. The Royal Tern is larger than the Sandwich Tern, with a large orange bill. Again the black feathers at the back of the bird's head form a crest.

Royal TernClearwater Beach, Florida, USA

Royal TernClearwater Beach, Florida, USA

Royal TernClearwater Beach, Florida, USA

Royal TernClearwater Beach, Florida, USA

Royal TernClearwater Beach, Florida, USA

Royal TernClearwater Beach, Florida, USA

I was also fortunate to find pairs of birds on the beach as well.

Royal Tern pairClearwater Beach, Florida, USA

Royal Tern pairClearwater Beach, Florida, USA

A low angle allows the birds to stand out from the beach in the background.

Royal Tern pairClearwater Beach, Florida, USA

I  really enjoyed photographing these handsome birds. For more images of Royal Terns please go to the gallery here.