Skim, Skim, Skimmin’

Florida has interesting coastal birds. One particular kind, the Black Skimmer with its long bright red scissor-like bill was intriguing to me because this is the first time I’ve seen such a bird. A distinctive feature is that it’s lower bill juts a third beyond the upper. And its black and white wings are long and graceful in flight. It’s called a skimmer for good reason. The bird flies low and dips it’s knife-like lower bill into the water to catch fish.

When we first arrived, there was a large group on the beach. They would sit there practically all day, relocating only if walkers disturbed them. They don’t like being approached. The whole lot flew off during a storm. A few returned afterwards.