There will be a second run for the Black Skimmers beach colony on June 29-30 2024! Only two spots left… Shoot me an email at steven@stevenbirdphotography.com if you are interested 🙂 Last year, we had a smaller colony of Least Terns nesting right next to the Black Skimmers. Hopefully, we will have the same situation this year.
ISO 800 | f/5.6 | 1/6400 sec. | Manual mode | AF-C Zone Focus Area
Sony 600mm f/4 GM OSS with 1.4x extender and the Sony Alpha 1
The image above depicts a Least Tern bringing back a fish to its mate. Later in the season, one will still see the birds bringing back fish to the colony, but this time to feed the newly borns. Those birds are among the smaller shorebirds and definitely the smallest Terns. There are very few beach colonies left for Least Terns. Nowadays, they tend to go after roof tops…
ISO 800 | f/5.6 | 1/6400 sec. | Manual mode | AF-C Zone Focus Area
Sony 600mm f/4 GM OSS with 1.4x extender and the Sony Alpha 1
And the scene above is the following chapter in this magic movie. The male brings the fish offering to the female as a token of its valor. On the other hand, Black Skimmers do not necessarily bring back a fish to offer. Summer time at one of the Sarasota Bay beaches…
ISO 2500 | f/8 | 1/3200 sec. | Manual mode | AF-C Zone Focus Area
Sony 600mm f/4 GM OSS with 2x extender and the Sony Alpha 1
Look at this cute Least Tern chick walking on a sand ledge made of seas shells. The mom is patiently observing in the background. When the chicks are so young, they do not venture too far away from the parents. There are natural predators to be wary off such as gulls and crows. Also, the other Skimmers tend to be a bit territorial and will shoe away chicks venturing out on their turf.
Black Skimmers Colony Photography Workshop – $1,190
June 8th-9th 2024 / limit 6 people – 1 open
June 29th-30th 2024 / limit 6 people – 2 open
3 shoots and 1 over-the-shoulder Photoshop tutoring => 3 shoots at the Sarasota Bay Black Skimmers colony. We shoot along the beach, where the nesting colony is easily accessible. $250 deposit. Send me an email at steven@stevenbirdphotography.com .