Forgotten fotos found - Black Skimmer chase

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I discovered these photos of a Black Skimmer chase while in the process of compiling favorite photos taken at birding spots near my former residence in Pensacola, Florida. The chase was observed on August 28, 2009 at Fort Pickens, Florida. Fort Pickens is one component of the Gulf Islands National Seashore. If my memory is correct, the skimmer with the minnow managed to evade the chaser and consume the catch.

Black Skimmers, Fort Pickens, Florida, August 28, 2009
Nikon D300 with 500mm f/4 lens
1/1250 sec. at f/9, ISO 800

Black Skimmers, Fort Pickens, Florida, August 28, 2009
Nikon D300 with 500mm f/4 lens
1/1250 sec. at f/9, ISO 800

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David Sparks

I retired in 2005 after 40 years of research and teaching at the University of Alabama in Birmingham (24 years), the University of Pennsylvania (8 years) and the Baylor College of Medicine (8 years). Photography is my retirement hobby.

Nature photography, especially bird photography, combines a number of things that I really enjoy: bird-watching, being outdoors, photography, travel, messing about with computers, and learning new skills and concepts.  I now spend much of my time engaged in these activities.

David Sibley in the preface to The Sibley Guide to Birds wrote "Birds are beautiful, in spectacular as well as subtle ways; their colors, shapes, actions, and sounds are among the most aesthetically pleasing in nature."  My goal is to acquire images that capture the beauty and uniqueness of selected species as well as images that highlight the engaging behaviors the birds exhibit.