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Black Skimmers

  
 
morris
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p.1 #1 · Black Skimmers


My last post from Nickerson Beach, Long Island, NY featured common terns. This one features Black Skimmers who also nest at Nickerson Beach. There were three colonies of Black Skimmers each about 500 individuals which is the normal numbers. Sadly the Common Terns numbers were way down. In past years there have been two to three thousand yet this year it seemed to be less than one thousand. Possibly more are still arriving as everything is late this year. It was 72f and sunny at Nickerson Beach with a delightful off shore breeze and this felt great as it was already 90f when I left my home which is inland. That big temperature difference lead to some very heavy thunder storms and flooding in NYC later in the day. The weather has been ridiculous with yesterday's high at my home 55f. It we should have a high of 80f this time of year. Back to the birds I did not observe any skimming while I was at the beach. That type of photo will have to wait for another day.

Comments and suggestions welcome,

Morris





1)

  X-H2S    XF500mmF5.6 R LM OIS WR lens    500mm    f/8.0    1/4000s    800 ISO    -0.7 EV  







2)

  X-H2S    XF500mmF5.6 R LM OIS WR lens    500mm    f/8.0    1/4000s    800 ISO    -0.7 EV  







3) American Oystercatcher in the background

  X-H2S    XF500mmF5.6 R LM OIS WR lens    500mm    f/8.0    1/4000s    800 ISO    -0.7 EV  







4)

  X-H2S    XF500mmF5.6 R LM OIS WR lens    500mm    f/8.0    1/4000s    800 ISO    -0.7 EV  







5) Over the nesting area

  X-H2S    XF500mmF5.6 R LM OIS WR lens    500mm    f/8.0    1/3500s    800 ISO    -0.3 EV  







6)

  X-H2S    XF500mmF5.6 R LM OIS WR lens    500mm    f/8.0    1/1600s    800 ISO    +0.3 EV  







7) The nesting area with the dunes in the background

  X-H2S    XF500mmF5.6 R LM OIS WR lens    500mm    f/8.0    1/4000s    800 ISO    -0.3 EV  







8) Making future Black Skimmers

  X-H2S    XF500mmF5.6 R LM OIS WR lens    500mm    f/8.0    1/3500s    800 ISO    -0.3 EV  



Edited on May 24, 2026 at 08:22 AM · View previous versions



May 24, 2026 at 08:17 AM
morris
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p.1 #2 · Black Skimmers


Continuing







9) Following a mass blastoff the skimmers fly in a line for defense

  X-H2S    XF500mmF5.6 R LM OIS WR lens    500mm    f/8.0    1/3200s    800 ISO    -0.7 EV  







10) Combing at me with the dunes in the background

  X-H2S    XF500mmF5.6 R LM OIS WR lens    500mm    f/8.0    1/2900s    800 ISO    0.0 EV  




May 24, 2026 at 08:17 AM
sum1sgrampa
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p.1 #3 · Black Skimmers


Looks like a fun day Morris. Great shots !
Gary



May 24, 2026 at 08:58 AM
taildraggin
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p.1 #4 · Black Skimmers


Wow! I've never seen more that a 2 pair in one lagoon. That's incredible.


May 24, 2026 at 10:29 AM
morris
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p.1 #5 · Black Skimmers


sum1sgrampa wrote:
Looks like a fun day Morris. Great shots !
Gary


Thank you Gary

---------------------------------------------

taildraggin wrote:
Wow! I've never seen more that a 2 pair in one lagoon. That's incredible.


Thank you,

It appears you live in NYC so this beach is not very far from you.

Morris



May 25, 2026 at 05:08 PM







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