The 2021 Florida Black Skimmers colony will be held on June 26-27. The recent Skimmers tour was a blast and offered quite a diversity of shorebird subjects. Send me an email at steven@stevenbirdphotography.com to book your spot!

Black Skimmers Photography Tour
Black Skimmers skimming on a sand bar – Sarasota Bay Skimmers Colony
ISO 160 | f/4 | 1/4000 sec. | Manual mode | AI servo rear focus
Canon 600mm f/4 L IS II and the Canon EOS 1DX mark II.

First off, we had spectacular skimming action this season. The image above was created with a Black Skimmer skimming along a sand bar. There are three very strong points in this image: the bird is flying low and straight at me, the wings are flared up a bit which helps reveal the entire under-wing plumage, and we have waves on both sides resulting from the unique situation of being on a sand bar. Quite the jewel!!

Black Skimmer Young Chick
Black Skimmer chick with mom – Sarasota Bay Skimmers Colony
ISO 400 | f/5.6 | 1/2000 sec. | Manual mode | AI servo rear focus
Canon 600mm f/4 L IS II with the 1.4x extender and the Canon EOS 1DX mark II.

In the deadly cute image above, you will see a very young chick coming out of the comfy tucked position underneath mom. Often, one will see an adult laying on the ground with seemingly nothing else happening. The reality is there is a slight depression in the sand below the adult, where up to three chicks might be tucked in and sheltered against the summer sun.

Least Terns in flight
Least Terns in flight – Sarasota Bay Skimmers Colony
ISO 400 | f/5.6 | 1/6400 sec. | Manual mode | AI servo rear focus
Canon 600mm f/4 L IS II with the 1.4x extender and the Canon EOS 1DX mark II.

There is a decent size Least Tern colony about 1/2 mile from the Skimmer colony. This offers an excellent opportunity to diversify your shorebird portfolio when you come for the Skimmers colony tour! 🙂

Used Gear For Sale: Canon 100mm-400mm f/4-5.6 IS II

Lightly used Canon 100mm-400mm f/4-5.6 IS II for sale at $1,350 (negotiable). This lens is fairly light weight, while having lightning fast focus and top of the line sharpness. It does very well with a 1.4x extender on as well, making it a light 560mm option. Payable by Paypal. Send me an email!

Skimmers Colony Photography Tour – $1,090

June 25th-26th 2021 / limit 4 people – 3 open

Black Skimmers colony photography tour teaser

Receive a full refund up to one week prior to the tour in case of COVID-19 issues! 3 shoots and 1 working lunch to a unique Florida Black Skimmers colony along the beach. $250 deposit. Limited to 4 participants until social distancing guidelines loosen. Send me an email at steven@stevenbirdphotography.com .

Florida Spoonbills Photography Tour – $1,490

January 30th-31st 2021 / limit 4 people – 2 open

February 27th-28th 2021 / limit 4 people – 1 open

June 5th-6th 2021 / limit 4 people – 3 open

Florida Spoonbills Photography Workshop

Receive a full refund up to one week prior to the tour in case of COVID-19 issues! 3 shoots and 1 working lunch to the absolute best rookery to photograph spoonbills with breeding colors. $250 deposit. Limited to 4 participants until social distancing guidelines loosen. Send me an email at steven@stevenbirdphotography.com .

Spread the word. Share this post!

Leave a Reply

error: Content is protected !!