Black Skimmer
Rynchops niger
The Black Skimmer is a specialist feeder. Though it may not look like the rest of its cousins, it is considered a proper member of the tern family. It’s a mesmerizing sight to watch these birds forage over the waters of a bay or lagoon. Especially on a calm morning or evening over still water, with wings held high so they won’t touch the water surface, leaving behind only a long “V” wake. When they contact a small fish with their bill, it snaps shut as if spring loaded, and is one of the fastest actions in nature.
These birds are members of the tern nesting community in South San Diego Bay, where I have been privileged to accompany biologists on their surveys during nesting season. Caspian Terns have a reputation for aggressiveness and attacking intruders, but the only blood-letting episode I have witnessed was caused by a Black Skimmer wing-whipping my friend Brian from behind, giving him a bloody ear.
From 1966 to 2015, the Black Skimmer has decreased its population by 4% per year, resulting in a population reduction of 87% over that period. They have been designated as a “species of high concern”. There are many obstacles to their nesting success, not the least of which is their dependence on beach sites loved by homosapiens for recreation.
Black Skimmer(Rynchops niger) |
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Description: South San Diego Bay near the Chula Vista Marina. San Diego County, California. |
Date Taken: 2009:08:05 7:12 |
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Location:
Boal |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/1500 |
File Name: JCD4816.BlackSkimmer |
| © 2009 - Jack Daynes - shadeTree Imaging |
Black Skimmer Chick(Rynchops niger) |
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Description: Juvenile trying to hide in Gull-billed Tern 'nest'. Saltworks at South San Diego Bay NWR. |
Date Taken: 2003:07:22 7:59 |
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Location:
Saltworks |
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Camera Information: |
File Name: A3G22b29-BlackSkimmer-Chick |
| © 2003 - Jack Daynes - shadeTree Imaging |
Black Skimmer(Rynchops niger) |
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Description: The bill closing reaction of the skimmer is said to be on of the fastest in nature. Saltworks at South San Diego Bay NWR. San Diego County, California. |
Date Taken: 2009:05:27 11:25 |
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Location:
Saltworks |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 370 mm, f/5.6, 1/2000 |
File Name: JCD9901.BlackSkimmer |
| © 2009 - Jack Daynes - shadeTree Imaging |
Black Skimmer Eggs(Rynchops niger) |
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Description: Saltworks at South San Diego Bay NWR. San Diego County, California. |
Date Taken: 2009:05:27 10:58 |
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Location:
Saltworks |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 490 mm, f/5.6, 1/1250 |
File Name: JCD9844.BlackSkimmer.Egg_ |
| © 2009 - Jack Daynes - shadeTree Imaging |
Black Skimmer Eggs(Rynchops niger) |
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Description: Saltworks at South San Diego Bay NWR. San Diego County, California. |
Date Taken: 2009:05:27 10:57 |
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Location:
Saltworks |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 490 mm, f/5.6, 1/1250 |
File Name: JCD9842.BlackSkimmer.Egg_ |
| © 2009 - Jack Daynes - shadeTree Imaging |
Black Skimmer(Rynchops niger) |
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Description: Saltworks at South San Diego Bay NWR. San Diego County, California. |
Date Taken: 2009:05:20 10:39 |
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Location:
Saltworks |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 310 mm, f/6.3, 1/1250 |
File Name: JCD9182.BlackSkimmer |
| © 2009 - Jack Daynes - shadeTree Imaging |
Black Skimmer(Rynchops niger) |
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Description: South San Diego Bay near the Chula Vista Marina. San Diego County, California. |
Date Taken: 2009:08:05 7:13 |
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Location:
J-Street |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/2500 |
File Name: JCD4832.BlackSkimmer |
| © 2009 - Jack Daynes - shadeTree Imaging |
Black Skimmer(Rynchops niger) |
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Description: Part of the collection at the Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology in Camarillo, California. |
Date Taken: 2011:11:02 12:48 |
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Location:
W F V Z |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 105 mm, f/11.0, 1/3 |
File Name: D3X4736-BlackSkimmer |
| © 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Black Skimmer(Rynchops niger) |
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Description: Near Lindsey Road. Salton Sea Vicinity. Imperial County, California. |
Date Taken: 2009:07:06 6:43 |
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Location:
Fondo |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/2500 |
File Name: JCD2938.BlackSkimmer |
| © 2009 - Jack Daynes - shadeTree Imaging |
Black Skimmer(Rynchops niger) |
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Description: Near Lindsey Road. Salton Sea Vicinity. Imperial County, California. |
Date Taken: 2009:07:05 8:02 |
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Location:
Fondo |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/7.1, 1/1250 |
File Name: JCD1962.BlackSkimmer |
| © 2009 - Jack Daynes - shadeTree Imaging |
Black Skimmer(Rynchops niger) |
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Description: Near Lindsey Road. Salton Sea Vicinity. Imperial County, California. |
Date Taken: 2009:07:05 8:02 |
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Location:
Fondo |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/7.1, 1/2500 |
File Name: JCD1953.BlackSkimmer |
| © 2009 - Jack Daynes - shadeTree Imaging |
Black Skimmer(Rynchops niger) |
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Description: Taking to wings from North Mission Bay by the Kendall-Frost Mission Bay Marsh Reserve. San Diego County California USA 2008-11-02. |
Date Taken: 2008:11:02 10:11 |
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Location:
Kendall-Frost Marsh |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 400 mm, f/8.0, 1/160 |
File Name: jcd0881BlackSkimmer |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black Skimmer(Rynchops niger) |
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Description: Saltworks at South San Diego Bay NWR. San Diego County, California. |
Date Taken: 2009:06:03 10:42 |
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Location:
Saltworks |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 390 mm, f/9.0, 1/640 |
File Name: JCD0661.BlackSkimmer |
| © 2009 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Black Skimmer(Rynchops niger) |
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Description: Saltworks at South San Diego Bay NWR. San Diego County, California. |
Date Taken: 2009:05:27 12:47 |
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Location:
Saltworks |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 550 mm, f/5.6, 1/1500 |
File Name: JCD0023.BlackSkimmer |
| © 2009 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black Skimmer(Rynchops niger) |
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Description: Part of the collection at the Western Foundation of Vertibrate Zoology in Camarillo, California. |
Date Taken: 2011:11:02 12:54 |
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Location:
W F V Z |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 105 mm, f/11.0, 1/4 |
File Name: D3X4740-BlackSkimmer |
| © 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Black Skimmer(Rynchops niger) |
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Description: Part of the collection at the Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology in Camarillo, California. |
Date Taken: 2011:11:02 12:51 |
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Location:
W F V Z |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 105 mm, f/11.0, 1/3 |
File Name: D3X4739-BlackSkimmer |
| © 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Black Skimmer(Rynchops niger) |
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Description: Tern survey day at the Saltworks, part of the San Diego National Wildlife Complex. Near Imperial Beach, California. |
Date Taken: 2015:07:08 11:08 |
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Location:
Saltworks |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 400 mm, f/13.0, 1/640 |
File Name: D3X2291-BlackSkimmer |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black Skimmer(Rynchops niger) |
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Description: North Mission Bay by the Kendall-Frost Mission Bay Marsh Reserve. San Diego County California USA 2008-10-05. |
Date Taken: 2008:10:05 8:54 |
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Location:
Kendall-Frost Marsh |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/2500 |
File Name: jcd1890BlackSkimmer |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black Skimmer(Rynchops niger) |
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Description: Loafing on North Mission Bay by the Kendall-Frost Mission Bay Marsh Reserve. San Diego County California USA 2008-11-02. |
Date Taken: 2008:11:02 9:57 |
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Location:
Kendall-Frost Marsh |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 400 mm, f/8.0, 1/200 |
File Name: jcd0773BlackSkimmer |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black Skimmer(Rynchops niger) |
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Description: Saltworks at South San Diego Bay NWR. San Diego County, California. |
Date Taken: 2011:06:08 10:10 |
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Location:
Saltworks |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/1600 |
File Name: JCD9435-BlackSkimmer |
| © 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black Skimmer(Rynchops niger) |
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Description: Tern survey day at the Saltworks, part of the San Diego National Wildlife Complex. Near Imperial Beach, California. |
Date Taken: 2015:07:08 13:06 |
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Location:
Saltworks |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 400 mm, f/9.0, 1/800 |
File Name: D3X2644-BlackSkimmer |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black Skimmer(Rynchops niger) |
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Description: Tern survey day at the Saltworks, part of the San Diego National Wildlife Complex. Near Imperial Beach, California. |
Date Taken: 2015:07:08 11:47 |
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Location:
Saltworks |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 220 mm, f/14.0, 1/800 |
File Name: D3X2447-BlackSkimmer |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black Skimmer(Rynchops niger) |
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Description: Nest found during Tern survey day at the Saltworks, part of the San Diego National Wildlife Complex. Near Imperial Beach, California. |
Date Taken: 2015:07:08 11:06 |
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Location:
Saltworks |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 400 mm, f/11.0, 1/500 |
File Name: D3X2278-BlackSkimmer |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black Skimmer(Rynchops niger) |
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Description: Nest found during Tern survey day at the Saltworks, part of the San Diego National Wildlife Complex. Near Imperial Beach, California. |
Date Taken: 2015:07:08 10:58 |
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Location:
Saltworks |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/2500 |
File Name: D3X2258-BlackSkimmer |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black Skimmer(Rynchops niger) |
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Description: Tern survey day at the Saltworks, part of the San Diego National Wildlife Complex. Near Imperial Beach, California. |
Date Taken: 2015:07:08 11:05 |
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Location:
Saltworks |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 400 mm, f/13.0, 1/640 |
File Name: D3X2275-BlackSkimmer |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black Skimmer(Rynchops niger) |
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Description: Tijuana River Mouth in Imperial Beach, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2015:07:02 10:36 |
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Location:
Border Field |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2500 |
File Name: D3X1946-BlackSkimmer |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black Skimmer(Rynchops niger) |
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Description: At the South San Diego Bay Saltworks in Chula Vista California. Part of the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge. |
Date Taken: 2017:05:17 10:28 |
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Location:
Saltworks |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 550 mm, f/7.1, 1/8000 |
File Name: BlackSkimmer_D5X1610 |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black Skimmer(Rynchops niger) |
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Description: At the South San Diego Bay Saltworks in Chula Vista California. Part of the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge. |
Date Taken: 2017:05:17 10:22 |
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Location:
Saltworks |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 550 mm, f/7.1, 1/8000 |
File Name: BlackSkimmer_D5X1556 |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black Skimmer(Rynchops niger) |
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Description: At the South San Diego Bay Saltworks in Chula Vista California. Part of the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge. |
Date Taken: 2017:05:17 10:22 |
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Location:
Saltworks |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 550 mm, f/7.1, 1/8000 |
File Name: BlackSkimmer_D5X1561 |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black Skimmer(Rynchops niger) |
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Description: Saltworks. Part of the South San Diego Bay NWR, San Diego, California. |
Date Taken: 2013:07:24 8:50 |
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Location:
Saltworks |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 400 mm, f/4.0, 1/1600 |
File Name: D3X0835-BlackSkimmer |
| © 2013 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Black Skimmer(Rynchops niger) |
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Description: Saltworks. Part of the South San Diego Bay NWR, San Diego, California. |
Date Taken: 2013:07:24 8:55 |
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Location:
Saltworks |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 300 mm, f/4.0, 1/3200 |
File Name: D3X0863-BlackSkimmer-Chick |
| © 2013 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Black Skimmer(Rynchops niger) |
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Description: Snatching a fish at the Tijuana River Mouth, Imperial Beach, San Diego County, California. |
Date Taken: 2013:06:24 8:11 |
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Location:
Tijuana River Mouth |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/4000 |
File Name: D3X9902-BlackSkimmer |
| © 2013 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging |
Black Skimmer(Rynchops niger) |
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Description: Protesting the presence of the biology team at the Saltworks. Part of the South San Diego Bay NWR, San Diego, California. |
Date Taken: 2013:07:24 8:17 |
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Location:
Saltworks |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 220 mm, f/5.6, 1/1600 |
File Name: D3X0715-BlackSkimmer |
| © 2013 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black Skimmer(Rynchops niger) |
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Description: Saltworks. Part of the South San Diego Bay NWR, San Diego, California. |
Date Taken: 2013:07:24 8:19 |
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Location:
Saltworks |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/1600 |
File Name: D3X0721-BlackSkimmer-Chick |
| © 2013 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Black Skimmer(Rynchops niger) |
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Description: Chick getting banding at the Saltworks. Part of the South San Diego Bay NWR, San Diego, California. |
Date Taken: 2013:07:24 8:11 |
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Location:
Saltworks |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 350 mm, f/5.6, 1/1600 |
File Name: D3X0689-BlackSkimmer-Chick |
| © 2013 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black Skimmer(Rynchops niger) |
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Description: The Tijuana River Mouth, Imperial Beach, San Diego County, California. |
Date Taken: 2013:06:24 8:22 |
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Location:
Tijuana River Mouth |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/5000 |
File Name: D3X9981-BlackSkimmer |
| © 2013 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging |
Black Skimmer(Rynchops niger) |
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Description: I usually see Black Skimmers performing their aerial skills on smooth glassy water, because wavy, choppy water can be hazardous. There *were* crashes. I met these birds after my third day of exploration of Aransas NWR aboard the “Skimmer”. There was still time left in the day for explorations. I found a nice place to park next to Little Bay and photograph local resident birds. |
Date Taken: 2020:03:17 16:40 |
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Location:
Little Bay |
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Camera Information: NIKON D500, 460 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: BlackSkimmer_D504447-Rockport-TX |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black Skimmer(Rynchops niger) |
|
Description: I usually see Black Skimmers performing their aerial skills on smooth glassy water, because wavy, choppy water can be hazardous. There *were* crashes. I met these birds after my third day of exploration of Aransas NWR aboard the “Skimmer”. There was still time left in the day for explorations. I found a nice place to park next to Little Bay and photograph local resident birds. |
Date Taken: 2020:03:17 16:46 |
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Location:
Little Bay |
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Camera Information: NIKON D500, 500 mm, f/8.0, 1/2500 |
File Name: BlackSkimmer_D504529-Rockport-TX |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black Skimmer(Rynchops niger) |
|
Description: I usually see Black Skimmers performing their aerial skills on smooth glassy water, because wavy, choppy water can be hazardous. There *were* crashes. I met these birds after my third day of exploration of Aransas NWR aboard the “Skimmer”. There was still time left in the day for explorations. I found a nice place to park next to Little Bay and photograph local resident birds. |
Date Taken: 2020:03:17 16:51 |
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Location:
Little Bay |
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Camera Information: NIKON D500, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/2500 |
File Name: BlackSkimmer_D504632-Rockport-TX |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black Skimmer(Rynchops niger) |
|
Description: I usually see Black Skimmers performing their aerial skills on smooth glassy water, because wavy, choppy water can be hazardous. There *were* crashes. I met these birds after my third day of exploration of Aransas NWR aboard the “Skimmer”. There was still time left in the day for explorations. I found a nice place to park next to Little Bay and photograph local resident birds. |
Date Taken: 2020:03:17 17:14 |
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Location:
Little Bay |
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Camera Information: NIKON D500, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/1600 |
File Name: BlackSkimmer_D504930-Rockport-TX |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black Skimmer(Rynchops niger) |
|
Description: I usually see Black Skimmers performing their aerial skills on smooth glassy water, because wavy, choppy water can be hazardous. There *were* crashes. I met these birds after my third day of exploration of Aransas NWR aboard the “Skimmer”. There was still time left in the day for explorations. I found a nice place to park next to Little Bay and photograph local resident birds. |
Date Taken: 2020:03:17 17:15 |
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Location:
Little Bay |
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Camera Information: NIKON D500, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/1600 |
File Name: BlackSkimmer_D504939-Rockport-TX |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black Skimmer(Rynchops niger) |
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Description: There were many of these tern-like birds near the Convention Center. Last spring I learned how productive South Padre Island can be for birding. This was my first visit in winter and it did not disappoint. |
Date Taken: 2021:01:19 13:42 |
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Location:
Convention Center |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: BlackSkimmer_D5X3706-SouthPadreIsland |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black Skimmer(Rynchops niger) |
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Description: Near the end of my visit, a mob of Black Skimmers sailed in and made multiple passes over the marsh. My trip to South Padre Island this day started slowly, but picked up nicely before the day finished. The Convention Centre delivered wonderful birds, as it often will. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:16 14:47 |
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Location:
Convention Center |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: BlackSkimmer_D5X3176-SPI_ConventionCenter |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black Skimmer(Rynchops niger) |
|
Description: Near the end of my visit, a mob of Black Skimmers sailed in and made multiple passes over the marsh. My trip to South Padre Island this day started slowly, but picked up nicely before the day finished. The Convention Centre delivered wonderful birds, as it often will. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:16 14:49 |
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Location:
Convention Center |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: BlackSkimmer_D5X3223-SPI_ConventionCenter |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black Skimmer(Rynchops niger) |
|
Description: Near the end of my visit, a mob of Black Skimmers sailed in and made multiple passes over the marsh. My trip to South Padre Island this day started slowly, but picked up nicely before the day finished. The Convention Centre delivered wonderful birds, as it often will. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:16 14:49 |
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Location:
Convention Center |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: BlackSkimmer_D5X3236-SPI_ConventionCenter |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black Skimmer(Rynchops niger) |
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Description: Skimmers danced over the shallows for me during my vigil to the laguna, sometimes providing head on views, showing how razor-thin their bills are. There are wetlands that the South Padre Island Convention Centre (free access) and the Birding & Nature Center (admission fee required) share. My previous visits to the wetlands had been to the Convention Centre. On this day I would find out why folks pay money to see the marsh, when there is free access next door. |
Date Taken: 2021:02:08 9:40 |
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Location:
South Padre Island WBC |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: BlackSkimmer_D5X0165SouthPadre-WBC |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black Skimmer(Rynchops niger) |
|
Description: Skimmers danced over the shallows for me during my vigil to the laguna, sometimes providing head on views, showing how razor-thin their bills are. There are wetlands that the South Padre Island Convention Centre (free access) and the Birding & Nature Center (admission fee required) share. My previous visits to the wetlands had been to the Convention Centre. On this day I would find out why folks pay money to see the marsh, when there is free access next door. |
Date Taken: 2021:02:08 9:44 |
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Location:
South Padre Island WBC |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/800 |
File Name: BlackSkimmer_D5X0199SouthPadre-WBC |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black Skimmer(Rynchops niger) |
|
Description: Skimmers put on a show in the late afternoon at the marsh. Tuesday's all day visit to capture images at the SPI Convention Centre was fruitful. The folks I met were great, and the birds were amazing. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:30 15:54 |
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Location:
Convention Center |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: BlackSkimmer_D5X8383-SPI_ConventionCenter |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black Skimmer(Rynchops niger) |
|
Description: Skimmers put on a show in the late afternoon at the marsh. Tuesday's all day visit to capture images at the SPI Convention Centre was fruitful. The folks I met were great, and the birds were amazing. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:30 15:51 |
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Location:
Convention Center |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: BlackSkimmer_D5X8310-SPI_ConventionCenter |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black Skimmer(Rynchops niger) |
|
Description: Skimmers put on a show in the late afternoon at the marsh. Tuesday's all day visit to capture images at the SPI Convention Centre was fruitful. The folks I met were great, and the birds were amazing. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:30 16:04 |
|
Location:
Convention Center |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: BlackSkimmer_D5X8670-SPI_ConventionCenter |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black Skimmer(Rynchops niger) |
|
Description: Skimmers put on a show in the late afternoon at the marsh. Tuesday's all day visit to capture images at the SPI Convention Centre was fruitful. The folks I met were great, and the birds were amazing. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:30 16:04 |
|
Location:
Convention Center |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: BlackSkimmer_D5X8691-SPI_ConventionCenter |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black Skimmer(Rynchops niger) |
|
Description: Skimmers put on a show in the late afternoon at the marsh. Tuesday's all day visit to capture images at the SPI Convention Centre was fruitful. The folks I met were great, and the birds were amazing. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:30 16:07 |
|
Location:
Convention Center |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: BlackSkimmer_D5X8756-SPI_ConventionCenter |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black Skimmer(Rynchops niger) |
|
Description: Skimmers danced over the shallows for me during my vigil to the laguna, sometimes providing head on views, showing how razor-thin their bills are. There are wetlands that the South Padre Island Convention Centre (free access) and the Birding & Nature Center (admission fee required) share. My previous visits to the wetlands had been to the Convention Centre. On this day I would find out why folks pay money to see the marsh, when there is free access next door. |
Date Taken: 2021:02:08 9:32 |
|
Location:
South Padre Island WBC |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: BlackSkimmer_D5X9968SouthPadre-WBC |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black Skimmer(Rynchops niger) |
|
Description: There were many of these tern-like birds near the Convention Center. Last spring I learned how productive South Padre Island can be for birding. This was my first visit in winter and it did not disappoint. |
Date Taken: 2021:01:19 13:40 |
|
Location:
Convention Center |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: BlackSkimmer_D5X3613-SouthPadreIsland |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black Skimmer(Rynchops niger) |
|
Description: A gang of Black Skimmers sailed in late in the day to bathe in the freshwater. Having finished with the Great Texas Birding Classic on Sunday, I was eager to return to South Padre Island, where I knew Green Herons were raising families at the Bird and Nature Center. |
Date Taken: 2021:04:27 16:03 |
|
Location:
South Padre Island WBC |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/6000 |
File Name: BlackSkimmer_D5X2835_SPI-NatureCtr |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black Skimmer(Rynchops niger) |
|
Description: A gang of Black Skimmers sailed in late in the day to bathe in the freshwater. Having finished with the Great Texas Birding Classic on Sunday, I was eager to return to South Padre Island, where I knew Green Herons were raising families at the Bird and Nature Center. |
Date Taken: 2021:04:27 16:03 |
|
Location:
South Padre Island WBC |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/6000 |
File Name: BlackSkimmer_D5X2816_SPI-NatureCtr |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black Skimmer(Rynchops niger) |
|
Description: A gang of Black Skimmers sailed in late in the day to bathe in the freshwater. Having finished with the Great Texas Birding Classic on Sunday, I was eager to return to South Padre Island, where I knew Green Herons were raising families at the Bird and Nature Center. |
Date Taken: 2021:04:27 15:54 |
|
Location:
South Padre Island WBC |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/6000 |
File Name: BlackSkimmer_D5X2652_SPI-NatureCtr |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black Skimmer(Rynchops niger) |
|
Description: Skimmers, terns and gulls loafed high and dry on the laguna shore sands. I began and ended my last day on South Padre Island, visiting the grounds that treated me to so many encounters with migrant birds. Between these times I walked out to the sand flats north of the Convention Centre to look for shorebirds and terns. |
Date Taken: 2021:05:08 10:41 |
|
Location:
Convention Center |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/6000 |
File Name: BlackSkimmer_D5X7641_SPI-ConventionCtr |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
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