Black Skimmer - with menhaden (bunker)

Considering how long their wings are, skimmers are surprisingly nimble fliers. Capturing these birds as they wheel low into the nesting colony was a real challenge, and it took quite a few misses before I was able to achieve the head-on perspective I show here. I particulrly like how the grass in the foreground comes into focus from the otherwise smooth background. I think it's just the right amount of habitat context. Muted and overhead light was rough, but I was able to stop the action with a combination of f/4 and ISO 2000. Handholding the 600mm was not an easy task!

Nickerson Beach, Nassau County, New York, 8/6/19
Canon 600mm f/4 IS II on EOS 1DX Mark II
1/2500 at f/4, ISO 2000