My Favorite Skimmer Beach

Posted on by Melissa Penta

A couple of years ago I started a tradition of sharing photos of my favorite bird species from my fall trip to Cape May – the Black Skimmer. The photo opportunities seem to keep getting better and better each year. This year brought more flight action along with other unique shots.

Black Skimmer

Black Skimmer in flight

Black Skimmer

Black Skimmer flapping

This year, we stayed at a hotel near the beach. We could see the skimmer flock flying around the beach right from our window! It was nice to be able to walk over to them without even having to get into a car.

Black Skimmers

Black Skimmer flock

The Skimmers would often take flight and skim the ocean.

Black Skimmer

Black Skimmer skimming

Black Skimmer

Black Skimmer skimming

Black Skimmer

Black Skimmer skimming into a wave

Black Skimmer

Black Skimmer skimming the surf

While others were a bit lazy about getting their food.

Black Skimmer

Lazy Black Skimmer

After skimming, they would land in the shallow water and bathe when the waves hit.

Black Skimmer

Black Skimmer bathing

Black Skimmer

Synchronized bathing

Black Skimmer

Two Skimmers after they are done bathing

Young Skimmers found interest in objects along the beach; they would poke and prod at shells, sticks and rocks.

Black Skimmer

Black Skimmer flipping an oyster shell

Black Skimmer

Black Skimmer attempting to pick up a larger shell

Black Skimmer

Black Skimmer claiming its found object

Black Skimmer

Black Skimmer toying with a stick

Many of them were a bit more lazy in-between Skimming and took a snooze on the sand.

Black Skimmer

Adult Skimmer laying in the sand

Black Skimmer

Black Skimmer head-on

Black Skimmer

Young Skimmer resting on the sand

As with past years, the Skimmers would preen between snoozes.

Black Skimmer

Black Skimmer preening

Black Skimmer

Black Skimmer stretching

Black Skimmer

Black Skimmer rousing

Black Skimmer

Black Skimmer after a stretch

This was another great year with my favorite Skimmer flock.

Black Skimmer

Black Skimmer… yelling or yawning?

Black Skimmer

Black Skimmer coming in for a landing

Will I ever get sick of them?

Black Skimmer

Black Skimmer photo bomb

Black Skimmer

Black Skimmer tells me his thoughts

I think not!

Black Skimmer

Black Skimmer posing

Black Skimmer

Black Skimmers in flight

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