Soon the black skimmers will be hard to find for the winter. These were all taken back in late July at Fort Desoto. They were hanging around the beach near the fishing pier.

They look so graceful when they are skimming.

Scratching an itch.

Taking a bath.

Splashing around.

Drying off.

Showing off for the laughing gull. “My wings are bigger than yours.”

Out on the water trying to scoop up some bait fish.

They were all busy skimming for fish.

I was standing on the pier taking these pictures and a guy asked me what kind of birds these were. I said “They were skimmers.” He said “Why do they call them skimmers.” I politely explained that they skim the top of the water for fish but really, do they need an explanation if you see them in action?

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