Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) - 17May2015 & 08Jun2019

Update: here is a nicer set of pictures from Wrightsville Beach where they nest on the south end.

Cornell: "A graceful, black-and-white waterbird, the Common Tern is the most widespread tern in North America. It can be seen plunging from the air into water to catch small fish along rivers, lakes, and oceans."

This first picture is from Topsail Beach back in the days of my old crappy lens.  However, get close enough and almost any camera can take a decent pic.

This below pic is from a recent Pelagic.  I like it for the moody colors.

Finally a picture of an immature bird at the north end of Wrightsville Beach in August 2016.