Smithsonian magazine's 22nd Annual Photo Contest | Made possible through the support of MPB.com

18th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
black wing skimmer on the Gulf of Mexico

During sunset on the Gulf of Mexico in Bradenton I love to look for right around sunset the skimmers coming down into the wind for the last meal. They nest on Anna Maria Island and it is a gift to see them in there acrobatic flight techniques to be able to skim up a meal on their way home to nest. They are lower beak is longer than their upper speak and their wings band is beautiful. I caught this picture as this beautiful bird was flying home. It’s almost as if she/he turned and smiled as I snapped a shot

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 05.2016
Date Uploaded: 11.2020
Photo Location: Bradenton, Fl, United States of America
Copyright: © Davis Graham