Birding Longboat Key, Florida
When my brother and I were growing up, my mom had a poster in our kitchen that read “Dare to be Different!” The entire poster was covered in neat stacks of red apples with one green apple tucked in on the left-hand side. I used to love that poster and it always stuck in my mind, so when I saw this Black Skimmer walking down the beach with his tiny little feet and massively long lower mandible, it's no wonder “Dare to be Different” popped to mind.Black Skimmers are the only bird in North America with a lower mandible that is longer than its upper mandible.
...from the side his bill looks big and clunky, but head on it's razor thin--perfect for slicing through the water as he skims the surface for fish. When a fish touches the skimmer's bill, he automatically clamps down, capturing his prey.
...that's one different-looking bird.
...I love that look.
I saw this flock of Black Skimmers on March 17, 2010 while walking the beach with Laure Ferlita. I remember it was St. Patty's Day and we were both wearing green. Laure is a blogger friend, artist, and water color teacher from Tampa. We had a great time talking and walking the beach, and we also had a yummy lunch at an outdoor beachfront cafe. If you’re thinking about a water color class, she’s a great teacher, visit her at her blog Painted Thoughts.