My Tern Yet?

My Tern Yet?

Pastel 12x16 on Wallis Belgian Paper

The tide has gone out, and the waves have left the broad sand to dry a little before they return.  Most of the seagulls and other birds have moved on, but this lone royal tern captured my attention.  He is standing as if waiting for something.  Perhaps he's next and is waiting he tern, or turn.

My Tern Yet?

Pastel, 11x15 on Wallis

This royal tern was standing with a flock of gulls waiting for the tide to come in, and for some reason all the gulls flew away.  The tern looked at me as if to say, "Is it my turn to go?"  That's where the idea for the title came from.
The sun was low and behind clouds, so there was no direct light on my subject and no distinct shadows were cast, but the electric blue of the high, mid-day sky overhead made the reflections come alive.

"My Tern Yet?"

Pastel on Wallis 18x12

Early in the morning when the tide is out, the gulls and terns stand and wait on the beach - waiting for the tide to move in.

The wet sand casts reflections almost as if it were standing water.  The scraps of foam from the receding tide and the scattered collection of a few shells are the only breaks in the vast expanse of wet.  Terns are divers, so until the tide comes in, there is nothing for them to do but wait their tern.

This lone royal tern seemed to be asking, "My tern yet?"