[obol] Fun False Alarm

[Cindy Ashy]

After reading the posts about Elegant Terns near Florence I decided to head down to Sallys Bend with my fingers crossed. When I first got there I found mostly a bunch of disheveled gulls (including both some very bright yellow legged Mews and Californias) chasing Whimbrels around to steal meal (none successfully). I consulted Sibley to learn the differences between Caspian Terns and Elegant Terns so I'd be ready...for adults: significantly smaller, head crest, and slight droop to the beak. I thought to myself, ok, the size difference will be the first thing I notice. About that time a flock of 19 terns vociferously announced their arrival and I excitely grabbed my bins. They were whizzing around so erratically at first they were hard to follow but soon settled into a pattern of circling and plunge diving. However, they were just too far away to see the details I needed to see (like a crest) but in my hopeful state I fully convinced myself they were
 indeed smaller than normal. Finally, they settled on a mudflat and I drove down the road to get a closer look and I just knew I was about to see some Elegant Terns up close and personal but when I got close....no crest...no droop....dark red beak (no orangish and solid color)...and all adults (looked like it would be easier to distiguish between the juvies). I examined each and every one in hopes that maybe there was an oddball but no luck. Was I disappointed? Only for a split second because those chatterbox Caspian Terns have such an infectuous cheery spirit all I could do was smile and enjoy.

Cindy Ashy