Black Skimmer

Gallery: AvianPosted July 25, 2012325 views9 comments

From LA last weekend, Bolsa Chica

I've always wondered what happened when a skimmer hit something - does their neck snap back? Are they ever hurt or killed? This one seemed ok.
Anyone know?

D800
500mm
1/3000 sec, f/8
Mode: Tv
Metering: Spot
ISO: 400
AF mode: AF-C
White balance: AUTO1

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on July 26, 2012 at 12:38 AM

The large version is a must see. Looks like the beginning of a good somersault. Great action shot Sandy! I'm hoping to spend some quality time with these guys in the near future.

Ken Archer

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by Rick Turner on July 26, 2012 at 8:33 AM

Great moment of capture. Well done

Registered on February 18, 2012, 534 Posts, 2755 Comments

Comment posted by Philip Haffley on July 26, 2012 at 9:58 AM

I only dream of geting a shot like this. Did you use a burst mode? Great shot.

Registered on August 10, 2008, 265 Posts, 317 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on July 26, 2012 at 7:41 PM

Beats me Sandy, they must be extremely flexible to do what they do though..
Great action captured, can't say that I've ever seem one contorted in this way before

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on July 27, 2012 at 1:03 PM

Great timing on this one! Don't know what happens to these guys although I've seem images of them flipping over after hitting something while skimming. This feels like it needs CW rotation Any more room up front and behind?

Registered on November 20, 2003, 458 Posts, 4836 Comments

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on July 28, 2012 at 2:47 AM

Great timing to get such an interesting pose.

Registered on February 4, 2007, 350 Posts, 4614 Comments

Comment posted by Patrick O'Healy on July 28, 2012 at 9:59 AM

This seems to happen all the time. Nice shot. Last week?

Registered on March 13, 2011, 326 Posts, 1679 Comments

Comment posted by S Govindarajan on July 31, 2012 at 10:21 PM

Great timing and a fantastic panning shot, Sandy. Perfect techs on both blacks and whites. Second the suggestion on CW rotation. One would think with their skimming, sooner or later they would hit a submerged rock or something.

Registered on April 19, 2008, 115 Posts, 1921 Comments

Comment posted by John Tobias on August 1, 2012 at 8:08 AM

Nice action shot Sandy! Maybe running into things in the water created an adaptation for skimmers to have a shorted upper bill? Great timing. Thanks for sharing.

Registered on September 12, 2009, 2120 Posts, 6455 Comments