It is always a delight to photograph the Black Skimmers nesting colony. Not only, one gets very cute closeups between chicks and adults, but there is also prime flight action from the adults. As a reminder, whoever signs up for both a Spoonbill and an Osprey tour (Mar 28-29) gets a $300 discount on the Osprey one!
ISO 1000 | f/8 | 1/4000 sec. | Manual mode | AI servo rear focus
Canon 600mm f/4 L IS II coupled with the 1.4x extender and the Canon EOS 1DX mark II.
The adults tend to stay nearby to collect fish for the youngsters. The image above displays two skimmers in hunting mode to feed the new generation. I am always amazed by the degree of accuracy needed for effective skimming.
ISO 1000 | f/5.6 | 1/3200 sec. | Manual mode | AI servo rear focus
Canon 600mm f/4 L IS II coupled with the 1.4x extender and the Canon EOS 1DX mark II.
In the end, most adults fly very close to the water surface so to skim for preys when spotted. Even if they look like they are flying away from me, I know that some of them will end up quickly turning around. This is the best time to capture banking shots just above the blue water. The open beak in the image above was a nice bonus.
ISO 400 | f/5.6 | 1/3200 sec. | Manual mode | AI servo rear focus
Canon 600mm f/4 L IS II coupled with the 1.4x extender and the Canon EOS 1DX mark II.
Another skimming adult from a different angle! I love the water spray they leave behind. As in most action shots, the addition of flowing water really adds to the image’s movement. Note that I am pushing the bird against the image’s edge for once. The idea is to display the water splashes left behind the skimming action.
Florida Ospreys Photography Tour – $1,490
March 28th-29th 2020 / limit 5 people – 2 openings
3 boat rides on a pristine cypress trees lake. Many nests are at eye level, allowing shooting from up close in a natural habitat. No big lens needed! An ideal setup for beginners… 2 working lunch sessions with lunch included. $300 deposit. If you also sign up for a Spoonbill tour you are entitled to a $300 discount on this tour. Send me an email at steven@stevenbirdphotography.com
Florida Spoonbills Photography Tour – $1,390
February 22nd-23rd 2020 / limit 6 people – 4 openings
May 2nd-3rd 2020 / limit 6 people – 3 openings
2 working lunches and 3 boat rides to the absolute best rookery to photograph spoonbills with breeding colors. $250 deposit. Breeding colors are a bit more intense in February, while May is likely to have new fledglings in the open. Also sign up for the Osprey tour and get a $300 discount on the Osprey one. Send me an email at steven@stevenbirdphotography.com