We’ve spent five mornings working the Black Skimmer colony. It’s been quite the education observing the life cycle, the interaction and behavior of these beautiful birds. A young chick hatches and within hours is taking whole fish from it’s parents, wobbling on it’s unsteady legs and growing up right before our eyes…
Nikon D4, AF-S 600mm f4 VR, TC-20E III ISO 400 f8 @ 1/500
The family unit is strong with both parents sharing in all the duties of raising their young from sitting on the eggs, fishing to feed their chicks and protecting them from the elements, predators and even other skimmers…
Nikon D4, AF-S 600mm f4 VR ISO 400 f11 @ 1/500
It’s been a real treat to see what skimmers are known for, skimming the surface of the water with their lower mandible dragging the water as they fish…
Nikon D4, AF-S 600mm f4 VR, TC-14E II ISO 400 f11 @ 1/500
And, bathing in the surf…
Nikon D4, AF-S 600mm f4 VR, TC-14E III ISO 400 f11 @ 1/250
They are so beautiful and graceful as they fly…
Nikon D4, AF-S 600mm f4 VR ISO 400 f11 @ 1/750
I feel so privilledged to have had the opportunity to have a short but, intimate glimpse into their lives…
Nikon D4, AF-S 600mm f4 VR, ISO 400 f11 @ 1/2000
The skimmer colony that we visited over the last week was the largest known colony in Florida and the numbers were way down. We saw the killing of four baby skimmers by other skimmers and even observed one being eaten by an adult which is very unusual as they are fish eaters. The gulls prey on the adults as they come in with fish ganging up on them as they try to snatch their fish and dive bomb the nests trying to capture a young, unatteneded chick. The crows linger close by with the intent of grabbing and egg or young chick. And, if all that is not enough. The Tropical Storm Debbie has wrecked havoc on the Florida coast and I fear the colony has been destroyed by the huge waves and heavy surf. As I watched the Weather Channel last night I saw waves pounding the condos just south of the area where the skimmers were nesting. Their colony was between the water and the condos. There is no way the eggs and young chicks could have survived the storm. Even though I know this is part of nature, it breaks my heart to know that some of the very birds I have photographed are gone.
All beautiful shots! So glad you got to spend time down here with this group of amazing birds. Your fears are correct. Last night the volunteers at the Bird Steward group on facebook posted pictures. They were there yesterday morning and were able to save around 28 babies. There were a few that were huddling up against the condos with the parents but most were washed out. It got even worse last night. The same thing happened at the sanctuary at Fort Desoto. The north beach was completely under water. It’s so sad.
I know it’s nature but, it still breaks my heart to know that those wonderful little Skimmer chicks are gone. I hope those that were rescued can make it.