My Turn with the Terns!
June 11, 2016 - My first 2016 trip to the Least Tern colony. I hoped for baby terns and got piggy-back rides instead.
Matanzas Tern Colony
 | Description | This used to be the biggest Least Tern nesting colony in Florida. |
| Photography Advice | Go early, stay low, and enjoy :) If the birds are agitated or try to poop on you, you are too close. It’s dangerous for the babies to be left alone for too long because the parents are trying to chase off photographers. Please respect the birds. |
| When to Go | Early June |
| Species Photographed (3) | Least Tern, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Wilson's Plover |
| Website | None |
| eBird | None |
| Google Map | None |
| Trail Map | None |
Wilson’s Plover Chicks
August 9, 2015 - Four Wilson's Plover chicks at the Matanzas Tern Colony challenged me to focus as they ran around the beach like little monkeys
Independence Day
August 1, 2015 - My last visit to the Least Tern colony, where a fledgling danced every time Mom brought in a fish for breakfast!
More Precious Moments with the Least Terns
July 2, 2015 - Another morning with the precious Least Terns and their two-day-old chick, who yawned, ate lots of fish, and jumped for the camera
Precious Moments with the Least Terns
June 23, 2015 - A quiet morning of lying on the sand yielded some amazing images of two Least Terns with their day-old chick. He was so cute!
A Least Tern Chick and More Crabs
June 11, 2015 - This weekend's visit to the Least Tern colony yielded four chicks and many crabs. The chick was so small and cute. :)
Lots of Action at the Matanzas Tern Colony!
June 9, 2015 - Lots of action at the Matanzas Tern Colony, with Least Tern courtship, fish exchanges, and skirmishes with the predator ghost crabs!
Least Tern Courtship
May 22, 2015 - I made my first visit to the Least Tern colony in early May, and the birds were in full courtship mode. Lots of fish exchanges!
Least Tern Chicks (from June)
August 28, 2014 - Back in June, I got to photograph tiny newborn Least Tern chicks with their parents. There was such excitement when Dad brought in a fish!
Least Terns in Love
August 20, 2014 - I finally got to photograph some Least Tern piggy-back rides this spring!
Least Tern Courtship (from June)
August 17, 2014 - Back in June, I photographed some fun Least Tern courtship. The male's fish was rejected by his unfeeling prospective suitor!
Wilson’s Plover Nest
June 9, 2013 - On the morning that I photographed sunrise at Washington Oaks, I also made a stop at the Matanzas Tern Colony. In previous years, I’ve spent some very special mornings lying on the sand, watching the Least Terns and their tiny chicks. I was a little worried that the birds would find a new nesting site […]
“Learn and Help”
July 12, 2012 - I was pleased to donate the use of one of my photographs to American Bird Conservancy’s Help Gulf Birds website aimed at protecting shorebirds on Florida’s coasts. Check it out!
Gather Ye Tern Chicks While Ye May…
May 31, 2012 - Last Saturday I had the privilege of photographing the Least Tern Colony near Fort Matanzas in St. Augustine. The Least Terns are the smallest terns in their family, and each year they come to St. Augustine in the spring to lay their eggs and raise their families. Their nests are nothing more than tiny indentations […]
No Vacancies!
May 29, 2012 - I’m still going through my images from Saturday morning at the Fort Matanzas tern colony. There was a nest that was very very close to us, and it was incredible! So I’ll have a full post tomorrow, and until then, here’s a teaser…no vacancies!
Least Tern Courtship
May 14, 2012 - Ever since my terrific morning photographing the Least Terns at Fort Matanzas last spring, I’ve been counting the days until their return. I couldn’t wait to have more opportunities to photograph these little birds. They return to Florida in the last few weeks of April and begin their courtship behaviors immediately. Their nests are tiny […]
Somewhere over the Rainbow…Least Terns Fly!
June 25, 2011 - I went back to the Least Tern Colony at Summer Haven this morning. My friend Michael Libbe came with me, and we had high hopes for a sunny morning and nice close nests. Instead we got fog, a slight drizzle, and not-so-cooperative birds. The nests that were close to the edge of the roped-off area […]
Cute Baby Birds at the Summer Haven Least Tern Colony are Totally Worth the Drive!
June 11, 2011 - Rich thought I was insane when I woke up at 4am on my off-Friday and drove up to St. Augustine. He thought I was even crazier when he heard me describe how I lowered the tripod and lay flat on my stomach to photograph the birds. But look at the results…. :-D The Least Terns […]
A Preview of Coming Distractions…Summer Haven Tern Colony
June 10, 2011 - I found the Matanzas terns! They have moved south to Summer Haven. (Thanks Monique!) I spent a great morning at the colony this morning. I have so many fun pictures that I can’t finish the post tonight, so here’s a tease. Check back tomorrow for more!!
Tern Colony at Matanzas Inlet
May 31, 2011 - I’d heard about a Least Tern Colony at Matanzas Inlet. It’s the biggest in Florida, numbering up to 200 nests (and yay for Audubon’s success in closing the beach to vehicles that were running over the nests and chicks!!) Since I was in the neighborhood this morning, I stopped by to check it out. Except […]