18th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Manu o Ku, White Tern with fledgling and lunch!

Captured this image performing arbor work in a shower tree about 2 miles from the coast. The tern is Hawaii state bird. Afternoon feeding, 2nd or 3rd feeding of the day. The Tern builds no nest, rather lays an egg in a round or creviced pocket on a tree limb. The Tern hatchling remains on the branch balancing and bracing the winds until it becomes of size to fly.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 08.2020
Date Uploaded: 11.2020
Photo Location: Honolulu, Ha, United States of America
Copyright: © Amir Khalil