Skimmers
This afternoon a pair of black skimmers showed up and started to work the salt marsh, zipping in and around the oyster beds and reed grass. The fast flying skimmer is one of the only birds whose lower portion of their mouth is longer then the upper portion. They drag their long, low bill in the water as they ‘skim’ for fish. The black skimmers are amazing birds to watch and photograph and they never fail to entertain as you can often hear them calling to each other with a yapping sound that sounds just like barking puppies!
Phil Lanoue Photography 
It’s so hard to get these guys so that one can see their black eyes hidden in the black mask on the face. You managed to get good clear details and tack sharp eyes. Thanks for sharing. Marta Hicks (one of your loyal followers).
Thank you Marta and you are correct, photographing these B&W birds presents a particular challenge. Trying to get some detail in their black heads and hopefully seeing the bird’s eye while at the same time retaining some detail in the white is a tough situation. I’m very glad you liked these skimmer pics!
Beautiful bird. I’m learning so much about your marsh! Thanks for the info and quality photos.
Thanks very much for your visit here Deb and nice to know you are enjoying the photos and info!
That is a really interesting bird, both in physiology and in the way it feeds. Love your photos.
It is a very interesting bird and one of my favorites. Thanks and glad you like the photos!
I have come to realize that whenever you post I am going to be entertained and educated. You certainly lived up to that standard today; very enjoyable post as always.
I greatly appreciate your very kind words Charlie as well as your continued support, thanks very much!
Perfect timing ! Perfect light !
Great shots , Phil !
You have done it again !!
utham
Thank you so much for your kind comments utham!
Such strange looking birds. At least, strange to us. They seem perfectly well adapted to catching their food! I would really love to visit your marsh some day. So many great photographic opportunities on a continual basis!
This year has been great for Cherry Creek…but I think it won’t last. We had a rough year last year, drained the reservoir. Once it fills up again, and it looks like it may…the shores and mud flats will be gone…and the plethora of shore birds won’t have anywhere to feed.
These birds are amazing to watch and their fishing style is unique and perfectly suited to their environment.
Thanks so much for checking these out!
Skimmers are very cool…I can’t believe how well you captured him skimming, Phil. Beautiful!
They really are cool birds Jane and I never get tired of watching them on those rare occasions they show up.
Thanks!
Again, great action shots, well done Phil.
Thanks very much Jan, so glad you enjoyed these photos.
Terrific detail in these shots, Phil! I’m amazed that dragging their bills through the water doesn’t slow them them down but it doesn’t seem to. How big are they?
Thanks very much Maggie I’m really happy you enjoyed these skimmer photos. What I can’t believe is how when flying that fast and dragging that large lower bill in the water, they don’t get continually snagged on an oyster bed which would be just barely covered with water.
They are good size birds, as big or bigger then a large gull.
What great birds. We have nothing like that here. They look great fun.
They really are terrific fun birds Andrew and I glad you like seeing them!
This photo has the best of everything. Great photo and a biology lesson as well. Thanks for both.
Well I really appreciate your very kind words Larry and I’m pleased to see you here again, thanks a bunch!
what a beautiful colours he has… Great shots. Thanks and Love, nia
They are very nice looking birds Nia and I’m happy you like seeing them!
Beautiful flight shots!
Thanks! I really appreciate you checking these out and glad you like them!
I’m learning about birds everyday from you blog. Thank you so much for the beautiful shots and the information, Phil! The last one is amazing.
Thanks a million for your very kind comments Amy! So glad you are enjoying the bird photos and info!
Dear Phil,
amazing action shots, wonderful series!
Wish you a nice wednesday,
moni
Hi Moni, thanks very much I’m happy you enjoyed these bird action photos!
Very strange looking birds, Phil. You really captured their flights so beautifully. Another case of needing a sound track here. 🙂
They are pretty cool birds Sylvia, one of my favorites which I don’t see often enough.
Thanks so much and I’m glad you like these skimmer pics!
Great action shots, Phil. I’ve never seen a skimmer but I’ve always llked the shots I see with them showing how they got their name.
Thanks very much Steve I appreciate you checking these out and glad you like the skimmer action.
If you wish you can see more of these amazing birds in my skimmer gallery section here:
https://phillanoue.com/skimmer-photos/
Amazing images! Thank you for your descriptive words to it!
I appreciate your kind words thanks!
They would be fun to watch. I’ve never seen them.
They are really fun to watch and I hope to see them in greater numbers this summer. Last summer was a bust for skimmers.
See more of these amazing birds here: https://phillanoue.com/skimmer-photos/
After viewing that wonderful set, I’d like to see them even more.
I sure know I would.
Fantastic shots. 🙂
Thanks I appreciate it!
Is it true that these are endangered? I thought I read this somewhere today, but not sure. Great captures Phil of a very hard to photograph bird.
I’m not sure that they are endangered. The wood storks used to be but I think they recently lost their protected status.
Thanks Em, glad you enjoyed these skimmer shots!
It’s the first time I see a bird like that. Beautiful again
Glad you enjoyed seeing the skimmers! Thanks!
Very cool! That is such an interesting bill on that bird.
They are a very interesting and exciting bird, thanks for checking these out!
good series, i like