Morning Skim | Phil Lanoue Photography

Morning Skim

Last week I was happy to see a black skimmer zipping along across the marsh pond. On this run, the skimmer came up empty with no fish to show for his efforts. But when it flew up from finishing another pass in the far back corner of the pond, I saw that this time the skimmer did have a small fish in it’s bright orange bill!

44 thoughts on “Morning Skim”

dinajohnston on July 29, 2013 at 3:06 pm said:

Perfect detail with the eye contact!

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- Phil Lanoue on July 29, 2013 at 5:17 pm said:
  
  Thanks very much, it’s really hard on these guys to get a decent exposure that gets detail in both the stark whites and the dark blacks.
  
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Gunta on July 29, 2013 at 3:12 pm said:

Would hate to see a skimmer missing breakfast… 😉

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- Phil Lanoue on July 29, 2013 at 5:17 pm said:
  
  I think if this guy didn’t catch anything in the pond he would head over to the ocean and try his luck there. Should be well stocked too I would expect. 🙂
  
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uthamz on July 29, 2013 at 3:46 pm said:

Perfect timing ! Perfect focus !
Another delightful series !

utham

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- Phil Lanoue on July 29, 2013 at 5:18 pm said:
  
  Thanks you untham, I’m very happy you enjoyed these skimmer photos!
  
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Patrizia M. on July 29, 2013 at 3:49 pm said:

Eccezionali, sono stupende!!

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- Phil Lanoue on July 29, 2013 at 5:18 pm said:
  
  Grazie mille Pat! 🙂
  
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pixelspielerei on July 29, 2013 at 3:53 pm said:

What beautiful shots! Really great! ▲

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- Phil Lanoue on July 29, 2013 at 5:19 pm said:
  
  Thanks very much I appreciate that!
  
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lylekrahn on July 29, 2013 at 4:19 pm said:

That would be fun to watch!

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- Phil Lanoue on July 29, 2013 at 5:19 pm said:
  
  They really are…the skimmers and the anhingas are my favorite bird action to see and photograph.
  
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Steve Gingold on July 29, 2013 at 4:40 pm said:

Skimmers are amazingly coordinated even if it is what they do. They must be awesome to watch…or photograph. Nice collection, Phil.

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- Phil Lanoue on July 29, 2013 at 5:53 pm said:
  
  I still can’t believe how the skimmers do what they do considering how fast they fly. I have seen a few wrecks but not many. Of course they do have to be careful of speed bumps. 🙂
  https://phillanoue.com/skimmer-photos/#jp-carousel-5678
  
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  - Steve Gingold on July 29, 2013 at 6:03 pm said:
    
    Yep, that would work even better than Fred Flintstone’s feet, I think.
    
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janmasyn on July 29, 2013 at 4:50 pm said:

Wow Phil, awesome shots of the skimmer.

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- Phil Lanoue on July 29, 2013 at 5:27 pm said:
  
  Thanks a million Jan, I am very glad you like these!
  
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Kitt Crescendo on July 29, 2013 at 6:01 pm said:

Love that orange beak skimming the water! Cool as a cucumber, that one.

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- Phil Lanoue on July 31, 2013 at 5:00 pm said:
  
  He is a cool cat! Thanks!
  
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Gracie on July 29, 2013 at 8:14 pm said:

These are awesome shots, Phil. Love how brilliant the color of the bill is. It stands out really well against the color of the water.

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- Phil Lanoue on July 31, 2013 at 5:01 pm said:
  
  Thank you Gracie and yes that bright orange bill really stands out!
  
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Amy on July 29, 2013 at 8:32 pm said:

Love the series! Its wings stretched out to their full length… Wow! Thank you so much for this beautiful post, Phil!

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- Phil Lanoue on July 31, 2013 at 5:01 pm said:
  
  Well I greatly appreciate your very kind words Amy, thanks!
  
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Bill on July 29, 2013 at 10:00 pm said:

Your work is simply amazing. I’m struck by the wake left behind the bird in the first photo. Beautiful and fascinating.

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- Phil Lanoue on July 31, 2013 at 5:01 pm said:
  
  Thank you Bill I really appreciate that!
  
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Gareth Rasberry on July 29, 2013 at 10:24 pm said:

Glad to see them back at the pond again! Very good shots, Phil!

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- Phil Lanoue on July 31, 2013 at 5:02 pm said:
  
  Thanks Gareth I appreciate you checking these out and glad you like them!
  
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The Wanderlust Gene on July 29, 2013 at 10:50 pm said:

Really wondrous shots Phil, and such a treat to see this striking bird in action, even if this run was lean for it 🙂

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- Phil Lanoue on July 31, 2013 at 5:03 pm said:
  
  Thanks a million for the very kind comments and it is always a treat for us just top see these amazing birds in action!
  
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The Dancing Rider on July 29, 2013 at 11:20 pm said:

Really like the colors, and the water. What a lovely avian friend. He looks sweet with his tiny catch. Beautiful wings.

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- Phil Lanoue on July 31, 2013 at 5:03 pm said:
  
  The skimmers are amazing birds and a thrill to watch. Thanks so glad you like these!
  
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Rexlin Victor on July 30, 2013 at 12:58 am said:

Gorgeous shots!!!

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- Phil Lanoue on July 31, 2013 at 5:04 pm said:
  
  Thanks much I appreciate that!
  
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Deb W. Trotter on July 30, 2013 at 1:32 am said:

Beautiful photos! I feel as if I’m there watching this bird.

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- Phil Lanoue on July 31, 2013 at 5:04 pm said:
  
  I greatly appreciate your kind words Deb, thanks!
  
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Jean-Paul on July 30, 2013 at 2:32 am said:

I like, I share ♥

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- Phil Lanoue on July 31, 2013 at 5:04 pm said:
  
  Merci Jean-Paul! 🙂
  
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Andrew on July 30, 2013 at 4:52 am said:

Is this what skimmy dipping is all about, Phil?

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- Phil Lanoue on July 31, 2013 at 5:05 pm said:
  
  If the skinny dippers are very very fast! :-0
  
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Molly Argo on July 30, 2013 at 6:49 pm said:

I can’t get over how well they can do this at such a speed. These are amazing photos!

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- Phil Lanoue on July 31, 2013 at 5:05 pm said:
  
  I know I am always amazed myself! Thanks so much Molly I appreciate it!
  
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TheForagingPhotographer on August 1, 2013 at 4:24 pm said:

Beautiful action shots as always Phil!

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- Phil Lanoue on August 2, 2013 at 3:29 pm said:
  
  Thank you Lucy I appreciate it greatly!
  
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foxleylady on August 22, 2013 at 7:03 am said:

They are all lovely but the last is spectacular!

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