Black Skimmer’s Landing Gear
This black skimmer was doing a fly-by and actually skimming at Bolivar flats, which is a somewhat rare event in that location. From my experience over the past several years, they usually just fly around looking for a place to land so this was a very nice change of pace. Especially since this was during a guide trip that I was leading with three great guys from New Zealand, Canada and Indiana.
It’s always a challenge to capture these birds in flight while using a ground pod since your range of motion is limited while laying on the ground. Added bonus was he briefly turned directly towards me. Also like that his feet were hanging like landing gear coming down.
Taken with Canon 1DX and Canon 500mm F4 IS II with 1.4X III teleconverter mounted on Skimmer ground pod with Wimberley II gimbal head.
1/1250 sec @ F10, ISO 800, evaluative metering, +1 exposure compensation
Tim Timmis Photography 
Stunning photo!
I like it very much!
I live in a place surrounded with plaines, there is no sea very close to us. So, for me, it is very interesting to observe these beautiful birds through your photos. Thank you.
July 6, 2017 at 3:44 am
Thanks Cornell. Appreciate your comments. I used to be land-locked but am now trying to take full advantage of living near the Gulf of Mexico.
July 9, 2017 at 5:54 am