Joshua Galicki, United States of America. BPOTY 2019. Category: Bird Behaviour. Shortlisted image.

Caught in the Middle

Black Skimmer Rynchops niger. Wachapreague, Virginia, United States of America.

Photographer's Story: ‘I travelled by boat to an uninhabited barrier island off the Virginia coast last summer, one that plays host to a large nesting colony of Black Skimmers. Several chicks had already hatched by then, requiring the parents to forage and bring back food for their young ones. While lying in the sand from a safe distance, I observed one adult return with a fresh catch and pass it to its mate. I was pleased with this capture as it contained the interaction I was seeking. The apparent unease of the fish really made the image come together for me.’

Equipment and Settings: Canon EOS 1DX MkII with Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM lens and 1.4x converter. 840mm focal length; 1/2,500 second; f/5.6; ISO 800. Skimmer Ground Plate with Wimberley Gimbal Head.

Photographer website: https://jgalicki.smugmug.com/