Black Skimmer

Putting the 'skim' in black skimmer! Spotted this guy at Ken Thompson Park streaking over Sarasota Bay at dinner time scooping up little fish near the surface.  First time I've seen black skimmers here, usually they hang out a few miles south on Lido Beach.

On the Move

The SDP team has been on the move and is fresh back from an incredible visit to the Pacific Northwest, which included a wonderful meet-up with a fellow City Daily Photo blogger. More on that tomorrow! 

But, first, let's check in and confirm that all's well in Sarasota. With Easter in the rearview mirror, it seems many of our seasonal residents have returned up north (probably much to their chagrin based on the snowy conditions I'm seeing on the news) and the roads and beaches here are a bit easier to navigate.

I stopped by Lido Beach after work last Friday night and seeing the above scene, my curiosity was piqued (again): What is it with boys and seabirds?  It seems they can't resist chasing a flock of birds resting on the beach.  In this case, though, these were black skimmers which are protected by the U.S. Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Florida threatened species list. So, after watching this large flock of skimmers being startled into flight, swooping around, and landing only for the cycle to repeat itself several more times, I began contemplating whether I should explain to the boys that their playful exuberance was probably quite stressful for our feathered friends. Fortunately, another beach goer interceded.

 

The boys reacted good naturally, taking it all in stride, and leaving the birds to roost contentedly in the sand.  Hope everyone in the Blogosphere has been doing well.

Skimmers Galore

There's a sizable black skimmer colony located on Lido Beach right in the city limits in Sarasota. When I say on the beach, I mean...On. The. Beach. The nesting area is cordoned off from the public, since skimmers are a protected species.  Nevertheless, I was surprised by the size of the colony -- skimmers galore!

Naturally, out of the dozens and dozens of skimmers here, one cute little ham was ready for his close-up! (What a poser!) This pic shows why skimmers are also known as the 'scissor bill' bird. They're the only bird whose lower bill is longer than its upper. That long lower bill really comes in handy when they skim the water hunting for small fish!  Love these unique seabirds.  Hope everyone is having a good weekend!

Skimmin' the Gulf

I thought I'd share a few more photos from my recent stay-cation on Sanibel.  There was lots of sun, surf, sand, and (of course) birds for me to shoot!  I was excited to encounter this flock of black skimmers on the Gulf of Mexico one morning.  They're easy to spot with their black tipped orange beak and jet black and white body.  The skimmer is the only bird with an upper bill that's shorter than it's lower one, which is why it's nicknamed the "scissorbill".  I don't see them very often in Sarasota, and this was the largest number I've ever spotted together. 

They fly quite fast and skim the water, dipping their lower bill in the water, scooping up shrimp and small fish near the surface.  Skimmers like to feed together and when they do, they swoop down one immediately after the other in a line.  So, if one doesn't snag something to eat, the next skimmers in line probably will.  Very interesting to watch.  Hope everyone had a good weekend -- and for those in the States, I hope you're acclimating to Daylight Saving Time!  

Black Skimmer

A new bird!  I went for a stroll last night along South Lido Beach and spotted these birds which I'd never seen before. After consulting my trusty Birds of Florida field guide, I learned they're black skimmers also known by ornithologists as razorbills or scissorbills. They happen to be the only bird whose lower bill is longer than their upper bill.  Look at that underbite!