When I re-read the message I sent came back to me yesterday, I realized
that I made one glaring mistake. The terns were not all in non-breeding
plumage. All of the terns were in a high state of molt, appearing very
disheveled. Nearly a third to half of the birds I saw were probably still
in their first year plumage with brown secondaries, and some brown
mottling on the leading edge of the wing. All of these birds had white
foreheads and white underparts with the barest hint of pink. Those in
their second+ year had the gray upperparts, except for a white rump and
tail, clear gray secondaries and leading edge, and a rosy bloom to the
white underparts. All birds had their first few primaries completely
dusky/darker gray above (forming a narrow dark wedge), and below, a dark
trailing edge to the primaries. The bills on all of the birds were long
and thin, with a slightly drooping tip, medium to bright orange on the
basal portion, and a paler almost translucent tip. The legs and feet were
black.

I was also amazed at how delicate and small they appeared both while
standing and flying. There was one Common Tern among them that was almost
as large as the Elegants surrounding it, both species being overshadowed
by the huge Caspians. I guess I expected Elegant Tern to be a little
bit closer in size to Caspian.

It was nice to see so many individuals of a life species, to experience
the variations in age and plumage characteristics. A nice surprise in
one's home state, and usually unexpected in birding, unless in a
completely foreign/new location.

______________________________________
| |
| Alan J. Knue |
| aknue at u.washington.edu |
| University Of Washington |
| Assistive Technology Resource Center |
| 206.685.4181 |
|______________________________________|