Forster's Tern Courtship

On a gray day one week ago, I was at Brigantine (Forsyth NWR). Forster's Terns were common along the loop road and many were in the midst of their courtship with the males demonstrating their prowess by bringing food to the females. I watched several fishing along the canal.

First, there is the hovering as he looks for small fish below the surface ...

... then the dive ...



I missed the splash down, but caught this series as he reemerges ...



He came up empty this time. I add the photo of the female as though she were protesting his ineptitude. The fact is, this is her posture as he eventually returns to her with food, though sometimes it also appeared that this was the posture of impatience if he was away from her for too long ...