A Morning at the Beach

[ArthurDent]

We spent the morning today at Indian Rocks Beach near Clearwater, Florida at a Black Skimmer rookery. We were trying to get photos of the Skimmers skimming, but they didn't cooperate and only a few were flying, so I ended up taking photos of quite a few other birds as well as the few skimmers that were flying. Here's a sampling. All images were taken with the Nikon D500 and 300mm f/4 PF lens.

[Netr]

Nice shots. "Snack" is what HCB would have called the decisive moment.

[ArthurDent]

I had to get up at 3:45 AM in order to get to my friend's house by 5 AM. Then it was a two hour and 30 minute drive to the beach. But it was worth it, we saw some interesting birds doing some interesting things. Here are a few more images:

[ArthurDent]

Nice shots. "Snack" is what HCB would have called the decisive moment.

Thanks!

[Hugh_3170]

Some interesting shots here Arthur - rewards for the early start.

"Trolling" is new to me.  Another decisive moment?

[Bent Hjarbo]

Very nice and interesting pictures, thanks for sharing.

[ArthurDent]

Some more images. Other birds use the Skimmer rookery as a place to raise their young. An example is shown in the second image, probably reduces chances of predation.

[ArthurDent]

Thank you Hugh and Bent!

Hugh- The reference to trolling is to dragging a bait behind a moving boat to induce a fish to strike, perhaps it is a peculiarly American term, or maybe just inapt in this situation. Unfortunately, I was unable to obtain an image of a Skimmer  catching a fish on the fly, which would have been the true decisive moment.