The Black Skimmers nesting colony is in full swing right now!! Between the classic skimming and the fluffy chicks, there is a lot to see 🙂
ISO 400 | f/4 | 1/3200 sec. | Manual mode
Sony 600mm f/4 GM OSS with the Sony A1
The classic Black Skimmer skimming action on the blue water!! The water spray is bonus 🙂 In retrospect, I should have worked at f/8 to have both wings in focus.
ISO 2500 | f/8 | 1/3200 sec. | Manual mode
Sony 600mm f/4 GM OSS with 2x extender and the Sony A1
We all love them: young fluffy chicks!! The parents in the background is a nice addition. This chick is about one week old.
ISO 800 | f/5.6 | 1/3200 sec. | Manual mode
Sony 600mm f/4 GM OSS with 1.4x extender and the Sony A1
Sometimes it is all about getting that low angle perspective. Check out this adult Black Skimmer preening. My goal there was to have has much blue in the backdrop as possible without clipping the feet.
ISO 400 | f/4 | 1/3200 sec. | Manual mode
Sony 600mm f/4 GM OSS with the Sony A1
When simple is powerful! The beauty of the situation above is to have shallow water all over, which creates this all blue universe.
Florida Shorebirds & Wading Birds Photography Tour – $1,090
November 8th-9th 2025 / limit 6 people – 4 open
3 shoots and 1 over-the-shoulder Photoshop tutoring => 3 shoots at Fort Desoto Park. $250 deposit. Send me an email at steven@stevenbirdphotography.com to book your spot.
East Florida Fishing Ospreys / Spoonbills mix Photography Tour
March 21st-22nd 2026 (Airboat option $1,690) / limit 4 people – 3 open
April 18th-19th 2026 (Fishing Jetty option $1,590) / limit 5 people – 3 open
3 shoots and 1 over-the-shoulder Photoshop tutoring => 1 pontoon boat-based Osprey shoots at the Vero Beach Cypress Lake + 1 land-based Spoonbills shoot at a local rookery + either (i) 1 shoot at the fishing jetty or (ii) 1 airboat shoot. $250 deposit. Send me an email at steven@stevenbirdphotography.com to book your spot.
Tampa Bay Spoonbills Rookery Photography Tour – $1,590
February 14th-15th 2026 / limit 5 people – 3 open
February 28th-March 1st 2026 / limit 5 people – 2 open
3 shoots and 1 over-the-shoulder Photoshop tutoring => 3 shoots at the Tampa Bay Spoonbills rookery. We typically shoot while wading in the water in the mornings and from the boat in the afternoon. $250 deposit. Send me an email at steven@stevenbirdphotography.com to book your spot.
Black Skimmers Colony Photography Workshop – $1,190
June 13th-14th 2026 / limit 6 people – 6 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 to book your spot.