I went fishing for photos this evening, just as the sun was beginning its earnest descent for the day, and came upon another doing its own sort of fishing.
Black skimmers are as magical-looking as they are improbable: the lipstick-bright band that highlights their underbite, the way they twist and turn over the water, alternately showing black on the topside or silver beneath. That I should find them so close to home, just down the street where the small creek widens into something resembling a lagoon, is something of a surpise. I should know better, know that it’s just a matter of being in the right place at the right time.
The cormorants were waiting for something in the
willow overhanging the shoreline, shadows of ducks flew overhead and landed in the water at my feet. A few night herons, silhouetted against the setting sun, the kingfishers dashing back and forth over the creek and I saw this one skimmer, far off in front of an improbably large waterfront home. Oh, how I would love to have this view out my front window!
Most often I see skimmers from my car while sitting in traffic, waiting for the bridge to go down after the sailboats pass below on the river. It’s always just a glance out the car window, that flash of silver and black, and lipstick red. This evening was a treat to see one coursing along the creek, dipping and turning as it searched the water below. But it’s only ever one or two. At Cape May, in late September, I know to look for the skimmers resting on the beach, facing into the wind, a whole gang of them, looking about as improbable as any bird could.
I have never heard of skimmers in Canada but maybe we have them. They look majestic and powerful. Hope you had a good day.
I hope one day to see a skimmer! I guess their are some birds that I might find while sitting at a stop might that might make other drool!
Neat! Do they stick around until late October?
😉
Aren’t birds amazing. I wonder how much my blood pressure drops while I’m birding. I would guess it’s a lot. Black Skimmers are one of my favorites. I must confess though, while watching them I’m always afraid they’re going to catch that big beak on something just below the water surface as they drag it along.
This gets me excited to visit Cape May! Oh, that house on the water. Yes, what a great view. I’d be gazing out the window all day.
You’ve captured the graceful flight and fanciful appearance of the skimmer. I rarely, rarely see them.
I can’t imagine getting regular glimpses as you do. Lucky, lucky lady:0)
Wow–the wing span of the skimmer is amazing. I clicked on the photo to enlarge, and it really is a magnificent bird in flight. How does it look stationary?
I love love love Skimmers!
It probably signals that something is really wrong with my brain, but I’m always afraid they’re going to run into some immovable object lurking just below the surface.
Wow, Laura, that skimmer “action shot” is so cool! Thanks
I have never even heard of a Black Skimmer until this post. Wow. That’s quite a bird. Beautiful, and a great shot.
Ah, I remember the first time I saw one…it was in St. Pete’s. So neat to watch!