Went to watch the Black Skimmer colony this morning. Most of the babies are pretty young. As always it can be a beautiful as well as a brutal experience watching them. Its cool to see them cuddled up with their parents and to watch the parents feed them. However, there are Laughing Gulls constantly trying to steal their food or even worse, the babies. At the same time if a baby gets near any Skimmer that is not its parent they attack them. Sometimes I think its amazing any of them survive.
Laughing Gull with stolen fish.
Cuddled up
2 babies cuddling parent.
Feeding the baby.
Black Skimmer attacking chick.
Parent with tiny baby.
Laughing Gulls with chick.
Baby with attitude
This is why the baby has to have attitude.
Making more Skimmers.
Sibling attack
Unexpected flyby of American Oystercatcher pair.
Sibling bonding.
Tenderizing the fish.
Little baby with little fish
Feeding time.
Sticks are fun
Little baby, big fish.
Great pictures of the beauty and brutality of nature. Adults creating babies and adults protecting and feeding their young. Parents can’t always protect babies, but that is nature. Really majestic photos of the beauty and brutality of nature.