Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Black Skimmer


I am linking up with  World Bird Wednesday and Nature Notes

My World Bird this week is the Black Skimmer.

Last week hubby and I saw quite a few Black Skimmers. We saw them both at Edwin Forsythe NWR on Thursday and at Cape May on Friday.  The Black Skimmers are Tern-like seabirds.

Above my photo captured a few of them head on but I really like the side view showing off their cool looking beaks.

At Cape May I believe they were nesting on the beach. They have roped off a part of the beach and sand dunes to protect the nesting birds. They breed in loose groups on sandy beaches. Three-seven bluish eggs are incubated by both the male and female.

At the nesting area we saw the Black Skimmers, Terns and American Oystercatchers.

I tried hard to catch two Black Skimmers flying low over the ocean at Cape May. I hope you enjoyed my post and to see more beautiful birds check out World Bird Wednesday  and for more nature scenes visit Nature Notes.

Thanks to Springman of World Bird and to Michelle the host of Nature Notes. Thanks for stopping by to see my post, hope the rest of the week is a good one. Happy Birding!

42 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

just the oddest looking birds! :)

Unknown said...

They're beak makes them look over balance. Great shots. Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

Dan Huber said...

They are such a neat looking bird, great shots Eileen

Linda said...

They do have interesting beaks! Nice photos - love the flying shots!

Andee said...

Great pictures and such a cool looking birds!

Brian King said...

Skimmers are so cool! I'd love to see some in person.

Debbie said...

i thought the skimmers were such a cool looking bird, i saw them for the first time in cape may!!

it's very nice that they rope off their nesting area!!

caite said...

Of course Cape May is one great birding place

mick said...

Great photos of very interesting birds.

Karen @ Pieces of Contentment said...

Their beaks certainly are different. Your second photo of the black skimmer in flight is wonderful.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Beautiful photos, Eileen. I love seeing the Skimmers.. That's good that the beach is roped off to protect the nesting Skimmers... Love it!

My blog tomorrow is a bird blog. Don't miss it.
Hugs,
Betsy

Carole M. said...

a nice series of birds Eileen; you visit some magic places in your travels

NatureStop said...

Eileen,
Nice captures of these cool looking birds!Have a great day!

Shantana

SandyCarlson said...

Vert beautiful! These birds are beautiful.

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson said...

That beak really is amazing. Thanks for sharing. I enjoyed seeing these birds.
Hugs,
Jann

Indrani said...

Lovely captures, particularly of the birds in flight.

Vores have said...

Beautiful series of pictures you show. Wishing you a good Wednesday. Hanne Bente / hbt.finus.dk

NatureFootstep said...

that skimemr is on my wish list. So strange looking with that beak. Nice shots Eileen.

Stewart M said...

Skimmers are just such a remarkable bird. I want to see one for real!

Stewart M - Australia

Phil Slade said...

Nice pics Eileen and until your post I didn't realise that Black Skimmers nested so far north. You learn something every day.

Icy BC said...

They are beautiful bird, and so nice they have a part of the beach to house their young!

Jen Sanford said...

Gorgeous birds, your photos make me really want to see some skimmers!

laurak/ForestWalkArt :) said...

those skimmers are really a strange looking bird...weird...like me...and that's why i like them so much!! ha!! great shots!

happy wednesday!

Rambling Woods said...

I had not even heard of this bird, but how cool it is..You do have the best opportunities for seeing and photographing birds Eileen..I learn a lot here..thank you for linking up to Nature Notes..Michelle

Libby said...

Hi Eileen! I love the black skimmers! The overall scenery is great also! Thanks for sharing :)

HansHB said...

Such a nice post, lovely to see!

Irene said...

Great shots .... yes, it't hard to catch birds with the camera. Think you did it very well with the flying birds :)

DeniseinVA said...

Fascinating birds Eileen, you got some great shots of them.

AVCr8teur said...

They are cool looking birds, but I don't want to get too close to that beak. I have never seen one in person before.

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Eileen: What a great bill on those birds, they are very colorful.

Unknown said...

Love the beaks on those birds!

Anonymous said...

such beautiful images!!! and beautiful bitds!

Carol said...

Terrific captures, Eileen. Those are the coolest birds. Love the colorful beak with the black and white coloring.

Leora said...

You are making me want to return to Cape May again. We went there three years ago, and I keep asking my family to go again. But they vote otherwise.

Jenn Jilks said...

I loe them! They are great!
Greetings from Cottage Country!

Rohrerbot said...

Strange looking birds with cool colors!! And I just learned about a new bird:) Thank you!

betchai said...

i do not think we have black skimmers here, have not seen one. i too like the side view showing their beaks.

Bob Bushell said...

All black and white with a dash of red thrown in, gorgeous birds.

Carver said...

Great shots of the skimmers.

Steffi said...

Fantastic photos for SWF,Eileen!Thank you for sharing and have a nice weekend!

Gillian Olson said...

Great pictures, very odd looking beaks on those skimmers.

Hilke Breder said...

Great shots of what must be one of my favorite birds!

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