A day before these shots the only skimmers we saw were in the dark sunset. We did get good photos but it’s not the same as having them fly and fish around you.

When we saw them Ellen moved a little to my right and up the mangroves, I stayed on the spot with many small hammocks. Two different looks for our images. No need for duplicates when you can avoid it.

Of course none of that counted when the birds skimmed right in front of us.

Below the bird caught a small fish just as I shot.

Finding Black Skimmers is a great opportunity. However later on you will have hundreds of images (and we do) to review.

Black Skimmers in a Florida Mangrove swamp.