Black Skimmer
The black skimmer is named for its characteristic style of feeding. It glides just above the water line, skimming the surface with the lower part of its beak, or mandible. When the lower mandible senses a fish, the upper mandible snaps down for the catch. This image doesn’t show that behavior, but clearly displays the beak. Photographed on Merritt Island on the east coast of Florida. Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 340mm) ISO 400, f/7.1 at 1/1600th of a second.
Black-Necked Stilt
The black-necked stilt is a very widespread shorebird throughout a good portion of the Americas. I photographed this one in San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary in California while I was searching for bobcats. Always nice to have something to photograph when looking for an elusive something else to photograph. Nikon D800 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 400, f/5.6 at 1/1000th of a second.
Pine Marten
I came across this pine marten (and a friend) just outside of Yellowstone National Park near the northeastern entrance in the town of Silver Gate, Montana. The two were chasing each other around in the snow by a wood pile and across a few fallen logs. They didn’t last long before scurrying back into the woods. Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 400, f/4 at 1/800th of a second.
Mountain Goat Kid
A young mountain goat walks high above the clouds near the top of Mount Evans in Colorado. Sorry that posts have been a bit intermittent as of late (or maybe that’s a good thing). Karen and I have been busy moving into our new house. Once that’s settled I’m looking forward to getting back out into the wild for all new images to share. Nikon D810 with Nikkor 17-35mm lens (at 35mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/400th of a second.

