Prairie Warbler (Setophaga discolor)

Prairie Warbler

A life bird for me. This species has a South Eastern U.S. distribution and normally does not occur further west than East Texas. I have been looking for this species for years. In December (2023) we spent a few days in Florida and saw this one at the Military Trail Natural area in Broward County.

Black Skimmer

While birding in Florida early in 2016 we came across a boat harbor. On one of the floats there were several Black Skimmers. They let me get surprisingly close. I put my camera down on the float and took this photo.

This bird has a shorter upper beak and uses its longer lower beak to skim the water for fish as it flies in long straight lines.