Skimming Black Skimmer

[Paul Lagasi]

I resently took a trip south hoping to photograph some sparrows I needed...One late afternoon we checked out a beach looking for any rarities.

I had been hoping to photograph a Skimmer, skimming for a long time. They did not disappoint, they were skimming in the surf about 4 feet from shore. Lots of other birds in the way.
I snapped images for quite a while, this was one of the better ones. I know the whites are blown but the best I could do in the light.

D7000
Nikon 300 mm f/4
f/8
1/1250
iso-1250
pattern metering
handheld
distance 20 meters
cropped

[Dumay de Boulle]

Great wing position and the light looks great. Whites on the body and neck need toning down and a CW rotation needed. TFS Paul!

[Bill Dix]

I never tire of watching these guys, and you caught him nicely with a perfect wing position and nice lighting. Ditto Dumay's points about the hot spots and rotation. I like the fact that your DOF allowed a sense of the surf.

[Ofer Levy]

Nice pose and sharp. White can be toned down. Here is a repost with the needed CW rotation.

[gail bisson]

The repost with CW is great. Well done,
Gail

[Marina Scarr]

Glad you finally got your BLSK skimming, Paul. It always feels good to knock one off the bucket list. Love the pose, the catchlight, the trail and the wave. I think you could do even better with the whites with some more PP. Repost looks good.

[Paul Lagasi]

Thanks Everyone..appreciate the comments

Ofer ... I had used the crest of the wave as my level but never thought about the ripple behind the bill, thanks

[Dan Behm]

Paul,
Congrats on the skimmer Image, I really enjoy these birds and dream of this shot myself, The whites as you mentioned are lil Hot but I find it to be a pleasing image.

Dan