Beginning of life at the rock (pics intensive)

[quix]

The Black-naped Terns arrive at the shores of Singapore yearly to nest. I had the fortune to be able to see them up close and take photographs of their time there. Photographing them was really one of the highlights of my short time in photography so far. Here's the story of the beginning of a chick's life:

It all started with my daddy and mummy coming to the rock with the other terns.


Daddy showed his love by providing fish for mummy..


Mummy spent hours in the hot sun sitting on what's gonna become me...


While the other adults continue to squabble for space on the rock..


And chase each other around for fish..


When I first came to the world, I was always under the watchful eyes of my parents...


Cos they have to protect me from the neighboring bullies!


When the big bad bird come to the rock, my parents and the other terns will leave us chicks to bombard him...

[quix]

Sometimes, I will go find my good fren to hang out!


But I realized, unlike us chicks, the adults don't seem to like each other very much...


Life at the rock can be tough...you face strong wind, sun and crashing waves...


And my Mummy tell me try not to wet my wings too much...


I always look forward to Daddy bringing fish back for me..


But I got to be careful cos there are always bullies around trying to snatch my fish!


Sometimes the fish is just too big for me, and Mummy has to watch over me while I swallow it slowly..


I always envy the adults for soaring high in the skies...


I took my first lessons in flying by imitating Mummy...


And then slowly went on to try it by myself...


I realise I can slowly catch the wind!


And fly like all the other terns at the rock...


Soon after my first flight, we will all leave the rock. See you all next year again!


Thanks all for seeing. Apologies for the long winded story and whole bunch of pics.

[benetay]

This is simply heart warming. Thanks for sharing the story. Must have taken you quite a long time to collate the series.

Cheers!

[wynx]

Wow! I can't believe this is actually taken in Singapore. I am impressed.

[jacian]

Wow
Another great series!!

[hwchoy]

this should be published in Asian Geographic!

[CK Yeo]

Who would believe this is set in Singapore? Where are the HDB flats?

ck

[luenny]

Wow! Those are very good images especially #2 and those in flight feeding shots.

[jacian]

Same here, I like pic #2 best.

[Cpark188]

Very interesting series, all pictures sums up with a true story, enjoy seeing it. Even the birds have their own challenging lives. Haha thanks for sharing.

[juggler]

These photos are superbly taken!
Catching all the details even when the birds are in flight!

[Aquaculture]

Nice photo story. Really can't believe its all taken at our shores...

[trident]

Fantastic photos and nice story telling
Wish I was there to shoot them too

[TTS]

Both beautiful and meaningful... thank you TS!

[route]

very nice photos, I myself cant believe this is taken in Singapore!

[guqin]

My goodness! This series certainly rivals those classical photographs taken by Dato Loke Wan Tho in the 1950s. See http://habitatnews.nus.edu.sg/herita...oyangrock.html

[tcy81]

very nice series again.

[benny]

oooh.. Some of them even have catchlight in the eyes!! Fantastic!

But I heard that it's not easy to get to these beautiful creatures. I'll probably turn green and bury my face inside a Cold Storage plastic bag most of the time.

Cheers,

[Gecko]

quix

so this is what you have been up to...mia for a year!

incredible shots and love the eagles' too.

[quix]

Thanks all for the comments. It was really a joy to shoot these fellas as they are so full of antics! For those who are keen, you can come along with me when next season arrive.
Benny, not so bad yeah. Just a normal bumboat hehe
Lawrence, yeah this is what I've been busy with. But hey, I am back! Mad about wild discus now!