Least Tern (fledgling): York County, Maine, USA, July 2024 — The Least Tern chicks are fledging the past few days…testing their wings in sort flights up and down the beach. This one was well outside the protected area, out on the open beach. I don’t know why, but there is something uniquely attractive about the Least Tern at this stage of its development. Subtly beautiful, with a hint of the elegance to come. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC VXD zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Animal and Bird subject recognition. Processed in Photomator.

Least Tern (chick transitioning to feathers from down): Kennebunk, Maine, USA, July 2024 — This is one of the oldest of the Least Tern chicks from this year’s hatch at our local beach, already transitioning from down to adult feathers, and looking pretty natty doing it. This bird will be flying and feeding itself in another few weeks. For now the adults are keeping close watch and feeding it several times a day. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC zoom at 600mm equivalent (and cropped heavily). Program mode with my evolving bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.

Least Tern (chick): Kennebunk, Maine, USA, July 2024 — We were gone for 10 days, visiting granddaughters in the west, and the Least Tern chicks, just hatching as we left, have grown up some. This one is no longer a little ball of fluff. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC zoom at 600mm equivalent (and a heavy crop). Program mode with my evolving bird and wildlife modifications. Bird subject detection. Processed in Photomator.

Piping Plover: Kennebunk, Maine, USA, July 2024 — Just a day out of the egg (not quite) two of the 4 Piping Plover chicks seek some shelter after an adventure down to the distant (in plover chicks terms) wet area of the beach. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my evolving bird modifications. Processed in Photomator.