There is not much I can say about these, except that I am fascinated by the Black Skimmers, so here are a few more images of them doing their thing.
Bear Island Wildlife Management Area, SC
May 15, 2022
Black Skimmers, Early Morning
Tag Archives: Water Bird
Black Skimmers, Successful Catches
Very small catch, hence lots of trips to sustain themselves.
They swallow as they go, make a u-turn and come around again.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
May 9, 2022
Black Skimmers, Standing Around
Black Skimmers look a bit awkward just standing around.
A lone Black-necked Stilt was sharing their resting space on the dried out pond.
This is a former rice field pond where the water was drained as a natural vegetation control. The hope is that unwanted grasses and other plants that eventually would choke the pond will die.
Bear Island Wildlife Management Area, SC
May 15, 2022
Black Skimmers
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
May 9, 2022
Black Skimmers, Alligators
Another selection of Black Skimmers where the light was poor but the action was interesting as the birds wove around Alligators.
Bear Island Wildlife Management Area, SC
May 15, 2022
Black Skimmers, Poor Light
The light was poor but the Black Skimmer action was outstanding.
The water had been allowed to drain from this pond for a few weeks as part of the vegetation overgrowth control efforts.
This left a very narrow strip of water where the fish were concentrated.
Some shore birds were feeding on the water’s edge and Black Skimmers were busy scooping up breakfast.
Bear Island Wildlife Management Area, SC
May 15, 2022
Skimmers In The Square
Usually I crop bird-in-flight images rectangularly to emphasize the flight path, but this first image worked better in a 1X1 format because he was closer to the right edge of the frame.
So I picked out some others that also worked square to go with it.
The Skimmers are fascinating to watch, first flying so close together, then separating on some unseen clue.
This next one is not the perfect mirror image capture that I would have preferred. But I like it for the shadow in addition to the reflection, the second Skimmer’s wing hinting of more action, and the still visible furrow in the water where the first Skimmer had just lifted.
And I couldn’t resist another image of the Black Skimmer passing the Roseate Spoonbills.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
May 9, 2022
Skimmers and Spoonbills
Coming through!
Impressive flying by the Skimmers
While the Spoonbills were doing their own thing
May 9, 2022
Marsh Scene
The Spoonie Tree was a gathering spot, both above and below on this late November day:
Anhinga, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Egret, Juvenile Black-crowned Night-heron, Alligators
Donnelley Wildlife Managment Area, SC
November 27, 2021
Cormorant With Fish
This Double-crested Cormorant took a long time showing off his catch, more than the usual maneuvers for easiest swallowing.
He did show off his flipping skills.
And catching.
After a few minutes I walked away and he was still paddling around with the fish.
Huntington Beach State Park, SC
November 9, 2021