Skimmer at Blind Pass


Posted by Sandy Mossberg on Mon Feb 16, 2004 6:17 am

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Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger)
Blind Pass, Captiva, FL, on 28 Jan 2004

Arriving at the compulsory fifteen minutes before sunrise, I plunked my butt in the wet sand at Blind pass and insinuated myself into a colony of gulls and terns. They squawked at me; I squawked back. About 15 minutes after the sun peeked above the horizon behind me, who should appear but two Black Skimmers. In my ten or twelve prior visits to Blind Pass, skimmers had never been present. These birds are communal and tried hard to stay close to the gulls, but to my pleasure the gulls often backed away, thus leaving the skimmers isolated. Oddly, one skimmer inched toward me. My lack of feathers didn’t seem to bother him, and eventually the character squeezed under my tripod while I was sitting next to it. What an exciting experience.

Here’s a close-up of my new skimmer friend. I hope you like him. I do.

I gave the viewfinder composition a bit more thought than usual. The short upper bill of the skimmer changed the balance for me. I have images with more negative space ahead of the bill, but this particular framing is the best for my taste.

Thanks for looking. Comments, critiques, and reposts are welcome.

Canon 1D, 400DO IS, 2x TC II
F11, 1/320, ISO 400, Flash off
Manual mode, Incident metering @-1/3
Image/Adjustment, Toolbox, USM, Crop zero
BreezeBrowser RAW Converter
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by Jim Neely on Mon Feb 16, 2004 6:26 am
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Another beauty, Sandy.

I like the tight crop and the light is wonderful.

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by Juan A. Pons on Mon Feb 16, 2004 7:22 am
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Beatiful image sandy. I wish I could get so close and personal with these guys. What an experience!

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by fredcor on Mon Feb 16, 2004 7:29 am
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Wonderful; you're so lucky to birds that close.
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by Michael Wolf on Mon Feb 16, 2004 7:36 am
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Sandy,

A great image with beautiful morning light.
I think the crop works just perfect. No nits here.

Let's hope they are there again this weekend !

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by Dan Barthel on Mon Feb 16, 2004 7:47 am
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Lovely light.
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by AlexC on Mon Feb 16, 2004 7:54 am
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I happen to go to Blind Pass with you and there are no birds!!
You go alone and even the Skimmers roost below your tripod !!
I am getting suspicious !!! :wink:
8) 8) 8)
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by Scott A. Flaherty on Mon Feb 16, 2004 8:31 am
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This is a beautiful shot Sandy!
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by Sandy Mossberg on Mon Feb 16, 2004 9:00 am
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AlexC wrote:I happen to go to Blind Pass with you and there are no birds!! You go alone and even the Skimmers roost below your tripod !!
I am getting suspicious !!! :wink:
8) 8) 8)
Suspicious of me or suspicious of yourself?
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by Alan Murphy on Mon Feb 16, 2004 9:10 am
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Great comp, detail and exposure. Wonderful headshot.
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by Scott Allen on Mon Feb 16, 2004 9:22 am
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Great image Sandy! Love the light and composition. Thanks for the play by play, I think it helps to enspire us all.
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Great light and shooting to you all!

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by Chas on Mon Feb 16, 2004 9:40 am
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Sandy, I love the comp as presented.

And, I live for such encounters, even more so than the memories captured.

BTW- it is nice to see that two youngsters can roost together :wink:

Hope to see ya in March,

Chas
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by DC on Mon Feb 16, 2004 10:01 am
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Fantastic shot Sandy, the detail is superb. Must have been an amazing experience for you.
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by Cliff Beittel on Mon Feb 16, 2004 1:00 pm
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Very nice image. Sorry to read we won't see Alex's shot on EHK of the bird below your tripod! :wink:
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by Jill on Mon Feb 16, 2004 1:36 pm
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Sandy, Fabulous everything ... it is perfection, my friend!!! Fascinating ridges on the lower bill.
I love that the birds all love you. 8) Your Skimmer friend has superior good taste!!! :D :D :D
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by Dick Ginkowski on Mon Feb 16, 2004 1:50 pm
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Very, very nice.

I assume that this is the Blind Pass between Sanibel and Captiva?
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by Sandy Mossberg on Mon Feb 16, 2004 2:04 pm
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Dick Ginkowski wrote:Very, very nice.

I assume that this is the Blind Pass between Sanibel and Captiva?
Yes, Dick. As you travel over the small bridge from Sanibel to Captiva, the primary shooting area of Blind Pass is the beach area to the left, accessed via the parking lot.
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by AForns on Mon Feb 16, 2004 2:09 pm
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Outstanding Sandy I was there two weeks ago and did not think of getting a tight crop. Really like it. Did you run into the shell collectors? Vicious bunch :)
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by Sandy Mossberg on Mon Feb 16, 2004 3:51 pm
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AForns wrote:Did you run into the shell collectors? Vicious bunch :)
Alfred, the shell collectors are ubiquitous at Sanibel/Captiva. It's rare to be at a beach area without them. Of course shells are the islands' claim to fame, moreso than birds. Fortunately they are not usually intrusive and rarely spook the birds. Dogs - that's another story.
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by jnadler on Mon Feb 16, 2004 4:08 pm
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Wonderful lighting and composition within the frame!
 

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