Last Tuesday I had the privilege of going birding on South Beach in Chatham, Massachusetts which is out on Cape Cod. While I was there I saw so many birds! Many of them were species I thought I would never see in my life. 15 were Life Birds! The Jaeger is one of them. So, imagine my surprise and delight when this bird flew in over the beach in pursuit of a Forster’s tern. I focused my 70-300mm lens on it and panned as it flew over the beach zigging and zagging and eventually flying right over my head! When I off-loaded the photos I was amazed, but I still needed the help of Matt Malin for a positive I. D. Matt birds around this area regularly and knows the species. Jeff and Dawn Fine and I followed him around the beach for the day and I will always remember it as being one of the best days of my life. I am letting the photos speak for themselves. They were all taken with the Nikon D80 set in Sports Mode for rapid firing and central focus. In this way I could lock on the bird and follow its flight. Not all shots are perfect but I think they will give you a feel of the excitement and the flight of both species of birds. I am amazed at the shapes their wings take as they fly and matt tells me the jaeger is missing its central tail feathers which it has probably molted. I hope you enjoy The Flight of the Jaeger.
To read the Overview of this day please scroll down one post or click on the link: South Beach Birding Overview
(click on the link to see more amazing birds!)
Beautiful flight images... your birds are wonderful to see.
ReplyDeleteAwesome shots Kathie! It was a super day! Jeff and I went back a few days later..Not nearly as good of a day.
ReplyDeleteJust being able to watch that would be great but the photos make it even better.
ReplyDeleteWonderful series, Kathie! Great sighting and congrats. I think this would be a new bird for me.
ReplyDeleteGreat in-flight shots of the Parasitic Jaeger Kathie! It looks strange without its elongated central tail feathers.
ReplyDeleteThe funny thing is that I just got my Parasitic Jaeger lifer last week at Clear Lake, several miles inland from the Pacific Ocean. I will write a post on it soon. I love Dawn and Jeff too. Great people!
Great flight shots Kathie! Nice inland bird too.
ReplyDeleteGreat shots Kathie. I would love to see a Jaeger. Lucky you!
ReplyDeleteWow! Just wow. I can imagine it was one of the best days of your life -- that series is totally amazing.
ReplyDelete15 life birds must have been our shared theme! Congratulations Kathie. Cool photos too.
ReplyDeleteAwesome series Kathie, you show very steady hands in the face of such a hetic show! To add that many lifers in a day won't happen to often in a lifetime. Congratulations on your awesome day, it couldn't have happened to a nicer person!
ReplyDeleteHi Kathie
ReplyDeleteThe photos are amazing just a wonderful demonstration of the Jaeger's behavior.
Regards
Guy
Great in flight shots!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
ReplyDeleteKathie, I am so envious of your trip to South Beach!! Wonderful posts about your experience and great flight photos! Did the Jaeger finally get the tern?
ReplyDeleteWow! Breathtaking photos!
ReplyDeleteAmazing flight captures!
ReplyDeleteGetting 15 Lifers in one day is outstanding. You should get an Award!
ReplyDeleteVery nice flight shots. I really liked "The Scream". Hope the tern got away.
Great shots of the pursuit Kathe, I bet the Tern didn't like it much though. Glad you had a great day.
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