Royal Tern (winter plumage)

I haven't had a decent opportunity to photograph this species in years - and never in flight - so I was stoked when this bird made a pass of the oceanside cliff where I was perched in anticipation of flying pelicans. Ideally, he would have angled his head slightly more in my direction, but I think there is just enough eye-contact to make the frame work. 1/4000 really made for cracking feather detail, especially in the fully extended near wing. I also love the stab of orange in the otherwise blue surroundings.

La Jolla, San Diego County, California, 2/12/20
Canon 600mm f/4 IS II on EOS 1DX Mark II
1/4000 at f/5.6, ISO 640