Florida, pt.1 - The Black Skimmer

[dancad]

Hi guys! I'm not dead, yet . Quite busy lately, including a great 4 1/2 day trip to Florida recently. Thought I'd share some images from a trip that included many hours of amazing photogrpahy.

One of my target species was the Black Skimmer. I remember watching them as a kid and I desperately wanted some shots of them to bring back home. I think I accomplished the mission nicely

Get ready for more Florida birds in the near future, many still to process

[yellalablady]

Dan, I love the 1st shot. It's great that you caught him skimming the water.

[marshall2]

Wow, great shots Dan! The second has a nice surreal feel about it.

[brucep]

Great captures! I really like your composition in all three. Each of them is kind of a "portrait" of the species.

[eddie haskell]

DAMN....................................

[viv1969]

WOW! With a capital Wuh. Excellent shots Dan...the first one is incredibly sharp!

[rkunderhill]

Great set of this bird, where is the National Geographic cover... Good job.

[Wayne Wood]

Wow Dan, #1 is off the hook followed closely by #3. The exposure on all 3 is perfect with excellent eye contact. These are as good as any Skimmer shots Ive ever seen. The interesting thing to me is that while most professionals shoot with 500 and 600 lenses, you are able to produce the same or better quality image with the not so highly regarded 100-400. I guess in the hands of someone who is so obviously talented a lens is inconsequential.

[Leonie]

I can't choose a favorite, I like all three! Very well captured

[Bishop]

I was just asking Wayne about you the other day. Good to see you again!

#1 is it for me. WOW, that's some capture. I bet you are thrilled with that one. Where were you shooting. Merrit Island, Viera Wetlands, Gatorland? All of those places are supposed to have lots of birds. And from what I've heard at Gatorland you can get really really close.

[Janika]

Superb shots Dan, Nice to see a local bringing back such wonderful memories. These birds must be awesome to see and photograph. Can't wait for the rest!

Btw; The Night Herons are back at Mud Lake!

[dancad]

Thanks all! The comments are much appreciated

Linda, these were taken at Ft. Desoto...an island complexe located south of St-Petersburg. Just an amazing area for birds and sunrises/sunsets.

John, thanks for the heads-up on the BCNH...

[TonyBB]

Very nice captures of an interesting bird. It looks like it's borrowed another bird's beak

Regards, Tony