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Photo Info

Dimensions9000 x 6000
Original file size25 MB
Image typeJPEG
Color spacesRGB
Date taken16-May-16 18:27
Date modified12-Mar-17 21:00
Shooting Conditions

Camera makeNIKON CORPORATION
Camera modelNIKON D810
Focal length600 mm
Focal length (35mm)600 mm
Max lens aperturef/4
Exposure1/1600 at f/5.6
FlashNot fired, compulsory mode
Exposure bias-2/3 EV
Exposure modeAuto
Exposure prog.Aperture priority
ISO speedISO 200
Metering modePattern
Digital zoom1x
Black Skimmer_JF93553

Black Skimmer_JF93553

Black skimmers are one of the birds I knew from books and nature programs on TV long before I ever saw one. Such a unique physiology and specialized foraging technique.

Note how the upper bill is shorter than the lower. From the side the bill looks thick, but head-on one can see it is exceptionally thin. It uses its razor thin lower bill to skim the surface of coastal waters. When a fish is touched, the upper bill snaps shut and snares the fish. I had hoped for years to be able to capture a decent image of a skimmer. Then a spring trip to Chincoteague brought the opportunity and, after many deleted images, this happy result.