I was recently at Merritt Island in Florida and discovered this Black Skimmer zipping along on the water surface of one of the inland canals.  Their behavior is as unique as  their appearance.  They have scissors-like red bill and their lower bill is much longer than the upper bill.  They skim along the surface, scooping fish into this brightly colored bill.  As I followed this bird in flight, it dove under the surface and tucked it’s head under as it came back up above the surface.  I have no idea what purpose this head tucking  behavior serves.  If you know about this behavior, please share with me!

Sandhill Cranes are wonderful parents! The mated pair stay together year round and migrate together. They typically lay 1-2 eggs and both parents participate in incubation. The Chicks are able to follow Mom and Dad around to forage within 24 hours of hatching. The Chicks stay with the parents for 10 to 11 months. The young Sandhills migrate with Mom and Dad but until they find a mate at about age 7, the “teenagers” flock together with other teenagers. The Sandhill can live up to 20 years. They are very protective and loyal and are almost always seen in a family group or adult pair. Sandhill Cranes are remarkable in their habits and behavior!

The Belted Kingfisher is one of the most challenging birds to capture in flight. They fly very swiftly with uneven wing beats and erratic flight patterns. I photographed this one out of a car window in the Viera Wetlands in Viera Florida, one of my favorite places to chase birds.

This image of a Least Tern in flight on a very dark overcast day was possible only because I increased my ISO beyond my usual comfort level. I don’t normally, even attempt to photograph birds in flight on days that are this dark because I don’t like the noise that results from the high ISO settings that are necessary to result in an adequate shutter speed for birds in flight. This image was shot at ISO 500, 1/1600th shutter speed.

This Bull Elk was snorting and making lots of noise as he crossed the river. What you can’t
see in this image is the female Elk over my left shoulder!
I quickly retreated back to my car as he nimbly approached her and they performed their courtship ritual. He was on a mission and I sure didn’t want to be in his way!

This is the largest seabird in the North Atlantic with a 38 inch wingspan. I have visited Machias Seal Island for Puffin photography several times but have only seen these birds once. Like the Puffin, they are seabirds so are not frequently see on shore except to breed. Their summer range is off the Coast of the Canadian Maritimes so I feel fortunate to have photographed this beautiful bird from Machias Seal Island. I had no idea what it was, just that it was big, beautiful and I had never seen one before!!!

These are some of the most colorful birds I have ever seen. They winter in small areas in southern Florida. I caught this male at Okeeheelee Nature Center in West Palm Beach, Florida.

“Look what I brought you. We’re going to eat like kings!”