Back to one of my favorite subjects to photograph, the Black Skimmer. A fast and frustrating critter to shoot, but so satisfying when it comes together.
This Skimmer was captured off the newly rehabilitated Crab Bank rookery. I think 2024 was the first year they have nested here in years.
A Black Skimmer, one of the fastest shore birds, passing by us low over the water.
These were taken at the Crab Bank rookery outside the opening of Shem Creek (Charleston).
Capturing these fast moves is always nice, but the clean ocean water and not a marsh makes these image even better…and more fun.
The speed and agility of the Black Skimmer is truly amazing. Like a big Tree Swallow they twist and turn in flight while searching and skimming the waters surface for prey.
Below the Skimmer snatched a small fish at high speed. I’m always surprised they don’t just completely tumble over head first.
After the catch the bird continued his search through the surf.
One of the best places to catch Skimmers fishing is along the surf, on the beach.
Most beach shots I get are facing out to not the water. This is nice for me since I was in the water shooting them. A different perspective.
Dull rainy morning here, but none of that bothers me since I was able to get these.
Taking over the Castle, Pinkney Castle.
Like all castles there is an entire unseen inside to this site. On the outside and walls there are hundreds of Pelicans, all ages and sizes.
There were a few times the weather was hard to photograph through. This is not an opportunity you get every day, and my gear is water tight so I ‘pushed the button’ as often as I could.
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Best viewed large. The white Pelicans are this years young. Full brown birds are from last year. White heads are the breeding adults.
Most of the time my interaction with Black Skimmers is in the marshes. Surf fishing like they do is especially suited for creeks and marshes.
Getting to photograph these birds over the ocean is a completely new challenge. They are not any slower, however they do tend to twist and turn a lot less. Unless they are working the shore, then it’s back to the races LOL.
Taken off the shore of Crab Bank, South Carolina.
Out in Charleston Harbor a nesting sand bar, Crab Bank, is coming back to life. For years this has been a nesting place for Pelican, Skimmers, Oyster Catchers, and many other sea birds.
The sand was eroded from the wake of big and small ships, finally Hurricane Irma in 2017 finished the job.
December 2021 Crab Bank was officially finished with a restoration returning 35 acres of nesting area. The Coastal Expedition Foundation, Coastal Conservation League, and the Army Corp. of Engineers recreated the bank while the harbor was dredged and deepened.
Below are a few shots taken as we circled the bank with Coastal Expedition, we were looking for baby Black Skimmers. The Skimmers are the first birds to return. We did see a few tiny heads, but the distance and bad weather kept me from getting anything to publish.
First image is a Brown Pelican resting on the sand. They are breeding close by on an island historical site. It’s expected Pelicans will return when they need more space.
Black Skimmers nesting on the Crab Bank.
Another group of locals have moved back. These are Royal Terns.
Taken while circling around the Crab Bank, Charleston Harbor, South Carolina.
Note; Replenishing the small sand bars and barrier islands is an ongoing process. Many of the photographs of young Pelicans on this web site were previously taken at Bird Key, just off the coast south of Charleston. Bird Key is lost and no longer a viable nesting site.
Photographs from the to do list last month.
Black Skimmers working the surface of the water on Bear Island, WMA, ACE Basin.
One of the hardest, and most exciting birds to photograph.
They keep you humble LOL.
