Black Skimmer, Merritt Island Causeway, Titusville FL

Just before my trip to Honduras, I spent a week at the Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival in Titusville Florida and brought back over 700 keepers. Obviously I only got to share a few of those before I was off to the more exotic birds and landscapes of Honduras, so I am going to loop back, over the next few days, and pick up some of the best of my Florida shots.

This Black Skimmer was one in a small flock that is often on the shore, or feeding just off-shore along the causeway between the bridge and Merritt Island proper, right by the parking for the fishing pier. Late afternoon, almost sunset, light coming in low backlighted the Skimmers, and actually illuminated the red on the bill from the inside. Skimmers stand in a tight group, head to the wind, with eyes barely open…when they stand…and this bird is displaying the typical posture (and attitude). I am surprised that no one has coined the phrase “stoic as a skimmer” since that is my primary impression of skimmers on land. 🙂 Just enduring until it is time to get up and out and feed again.

Nikon P900 at 1800mm equivalent field of view. 1/250th @ ISO 400 @ f6.3. Processed in Lightroom.