Skimmers Working The Marsh
Earlier this week I saw these two black skimmers show up and do one fast pass across the marsh then that was it, as quickly as they arrived, they were gone. However I am always thrilled to see these amazing birds in action, even if it’s only for a quick visit on the way to their next location…
Phil Lanoue Photography 
Don’t know why, but when I saw the title in my email I was thinking you were shooting dragonflies. 🙂 Nice captures of these fishing buddies at work, Phil.
That’s really funny, recently I opened up a post with a similar title by someone in a photo forum and expected to see birds and I got butterflies. I think “skippers” are butterflies. 🙂 Don’t remember if I read it wrong or if they wrote it wrong.
Thanks though Steve I appreciate you checking these out and glad you like ’em!
Love the detail of the little wake they leave! Great the way you catch them at such a speed!
Thanks very much Maggie and yes indeed these birds are fast!
They certainly do look very efficient, Phil. Great pics of these gorgeous birds.
They do seem to have a particularly strong work ethic.
They also bark like puppies to each other; which is a totally unrelated bit of information. 😀
Thanks Sylvia I’m happy you like the skimmer pics!
Oh, to have such beauty and coordination. 😀
These guys really do have it going on! 🙂
Seems like there’s a metaphor in there somewhere…..?
(again, your shots are wonderful)
Thanks so much Gunta, I really am happy you enjoy the photos.
I hope they never try to snatch up a stone, which rises out of the water! 😛 Nice photos, Phil!
I get worried for them when they fly among the oyster beds, hitting one could really hurt a birds mouth! 😯
Thanks for looking and commenting!
Neat shots, especially the line they cut through the water.
Thanks, and yes these guys are fun to watch and photograph.
Your Skimmer photos are always impressive! No wonder you have won awards on them!
Thanks very much Molly I’m glad you enjoyed these and I appreciate the kind words!
Love skimmers. Great shots.
Hey thanks a bunch Jane I appreciate it.
There’s a section of beach on the Gulf side of the JFK Causeway in Corpus Christi that’s a nesting site for skimmers. Their numbers are decreasing here dramatically, mostly because of disturbances by humans. “Their” beach is right under the turnaround, surrounded by bait shops, etc. They’re working hard to teach people to leave the poor birds alone, for gosh sakes. It’s just the presence of humans that’s the problem – I’m not aware of any truly bad behavior toward the birds. But it’s a problem.
It’s sad, because they’re one of the most wonderful species we have. They’re rarely around here, but every time I have the chance to see them, it’s a thrill.
By the way, I’m trying to get caught up with my blog housekeeping – I’m adding your blog as a link in the sidebar this afternoon. It’s so wonderful I want everyone to come and look!
We have had problems here with some birds being ‘loved to death’. There was a great horned owl nest and photographers and bird watches were so intrusive that the parents abandoned the nest and one of the babies was found dead and the other disappeared. Very sad.
Well I appreciate you looking and commenting thanks very much!
I’ve been trying to photograph these guys skimming myself! Nice job.
Thanks Cindy, they really are amazing to watch and it’s great to have the opportunity to photograph them. Hope you get some great pics!
Great action shots Phil.
Thanks very much Jan appreciate it.
As if they were dancing on top of the water. Beautiful!!
They are very good at what they do for sure, thanks Amy!
The fact that you were on the ready to capture them when they passed by fleetingly is fantastic ! Great captures.
I heard them barking to each other before I saw them so that was a helpful tipoff.
Thanks Emily!
I could watch them for hours.
I just wish they would stay around for longer then minutes because I agree they are cool to watch.
I’ve never seen them before…they do look amazing!
They really are incredible birds and watching and photographing them is always a treat!
I adore the colours and contrasts in this shot .. your skimmers are so elegant 🙂
Wow… these birds are so smart!!! :O