Other Birds at the Black Skimmer Colony

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In my last post I wrote about my first visit this year to the Black Skimmer colony.   Well, the skimmers aren’t the only fun birds to photograph on that stretch of beach.  There are always terns and peeps to photograph as well.  So here are the other birds that made an appearance in front of my lens that morning…

Double-Crested Cormorant with Fish
Double-Crested Cormorant with Fish

My first bird of the morning was a Double-crested Cormorant who was fishing in the shallow waves.  Pesky bird, he stayed in the shade even though there was a nicely lit patch of water very close to him.  He was intent on finding his breakfast in the rushing water, and he surprised me how many fish he turned up in just a few minutes.  It was fun to see him swimming, since I usually see them sitting in trees.  His body was muscular and he dove like a duck.

American Oystercatcher Wing-Flap
American Oystercatcher Wing-Flap

This American Oystercatcher flew in calling with all his might.  Then he hopped into the waves and started bathing.  Well, I knew that meant that a wing-flap was coming, so I focused and got ready for it.  I got so many good poses from him, but my favorite was this one, which I cropped to vertical.  He looks like he’s doing birdie jumping jacks!

Royal Terns Mating
Royal Terns Mating

“nuh-uh-nuh-uh”….uh-oh….it’s the tell-tale sign of hanky-panky going on!  I often hear birds mating before I see them.  In this case, the birds were standing right behind me.   They didn’t seem to mind when I jumped up, walked around them to get on a good sun angle, had my camera yell “CARD FULL”, inserted a new card, and still got some shots.  I wish all birds were this cooperative! :)

Double-Crested Cormorant Wing Flap
Double-Crested Cormorant Wing Flap

As if he heard me complain that the fishing cormorant wasn’t in the sun, this cormorant emerged a little way down the beach.  His eyes were still brilliantly blue in his mating plumage, and they glistened in the morning light.  Like the oystercatcher, he hopped around a bit to take a bath, and then he too gave me a wing-flap.  This image is probably best viewed large, where his eyes seem to stare you down as you observe him.

Well, that was it for my morning at the skimmer colony.  I’m looking forward to my next visit!––

Want to learn more about nature photography at Black Skimmer Colonies?

Check out my Black Skimmer Colonies page with more information about the location, map, website, photography tips, etc. It is archived by date so you can see my images from previous visits. Maybe you'll be inspired for your own trip!

Planning a trip to Florida? Don't miss my Central Florida Bird Photography Locations reference guide!

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