TAKING TERNS KISSING: AN ABACO ROMANCE

There’s a time and a place for anthropomorphising animal behaviour in terms of human responses. Usually it’s best done with caution or not at all… I’m going to press ahead, though, with a romantic encounter between two Royal terns today at Sandy Point, Abaco. Ultimately, this appeared to be an approach, a come-on, a poorly executed attempt at intimacy, and ultimately a rejection. Or else it’s just bird interchange that we should not read too much into…

Good afternoon, I should like to get to know you better…

Would you do me the honour of commencing a relationship?

Indeed I would, kind Sir!

*Boastfully* I happen to be the most handsome and regal tern this side of Marsh Harbour

I’m going to give you a peck that you’ll never forget…

Whaaaaaa? Wait… Too much, too soon. I hardly know you

You’ve moved as far away as possible on this post – you have no idea what you’re missing

 I’ll be the judge of that. I’m off, don’t try to follow me…

Credits: all photos (artfully taken in fairly poor light), corny storyline, inappropriate anthropomorphism – Keith Salvesen