19th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Black Skimmer skimming for a fish

This a Black Skimmer skimming for food. The Black Skimmers' search for fish is accelerated during the nesting season, in order to feed the hungry chicks waiting to be fed. Most of the time, the Black Skimmers have only their lower beak in the water in order to snag a fish swimming near the surface. This one seems to put his whole beak into the effort.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 06.2021
Date Uploaded: 09.2021
Photo Location: Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, North Carolina, United States of America
Camera: NIKON D850
Copyright: © Mark Van Liere