Rynchops niger The black skimmer is an elegant and unusual bird. A rare visitor to California, this bird's beak is like no other. The lower mandible is nearly twice the length of the upper, and gives the appearance of having a severe underbite. Skimmers fly just above the water with their elongated lower mandible submerged. They perform this "skimming" behavior until the bill comes in contact with a fish. San Francisco Peninsula, California
Ochotona princeps Pika's are a fascinating little mammal that is only found at extremely high elevations. They spend their short summer season foraging for grasses and stockpiling for the long cold winter. As high elevations specialists occupying a specialized niche, Pikas are considered to be an important indicator species of climate change. Yosemite National Park, California
