Suddenly Birds Filled the Sky

Field Notes:

A Common Tern with a minnow in its mouth flies over an island of grasses on Lake St. Clair in the Great Lakes system

I first noticed a single tern gliding above an island of reeds.

A flock of Common Terns take flight over an island of grasses on lake St. Clair in the Great Lakes system

As I drifted closer, more birds appeared. What seemed from a distance like a handful of Common Terns were actually a thriving colony tucked into the grasses.

A few squawks. A few birds lifted into the air. Then Dozens.

First they hovered above the grasses. Then the squadron moved over the water towards me.

A flock of Terns fly over an island of reeds on Lake St. Clair in the Great Lake system.

For a brief frenzied moment the sky filled with motion and sound… and bird poop bombs!

I was under an aerial attack! Apparently the island of reeds was the nesting site for this colony of terns – and I had become a bogey on their radar.

I quickly reversed course, glad that I and my camera had been spared a direct hit.

A photographer
may find oneself in jeopardy. 
Oh, but that photo!

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