Double-Crested Cormorants & The American Robin
I have previously posted on Rudy, our visiting Ruddy Duck in the community marina, who hung around for a couple of weeks. It was pretty nice to get to watch this duck at such a close range for so long. Well, he has moved on, and we have another interesting duck that has taken his place, a Double-Crested Cormorant. A 32″ tall quirky-looking, black duck (except the first year who is more brown with a pale throat), with green eyes & a bright orange beak, the Double-Crested Cormorant is a very good swimmer & diver, and feeds primarily on fish. They are easily adaptable to both salt and fresh waters, and can be found foraging in the large oceans, a large river or bay, or in waters as small as a stream, creek or swamp.
Our visiting cormorant has been hanging around our marina both mornings & evenings for over a week, and is very bashful & disappears underwater to reappear at a safer distance when anyone comes by. I’ve stayed back myself to not spook him and got lucky only a few times before he was gone! One morning, I was especially lucky with the first series of photos when he popped up after a dive with a fish. 🙂 He quickly flipped it up and into his month, swallowing that whole fish in one big gulp!
Double-Crested Cormorant and Breakfast!
Flipping it up!
And into the mouth….
And now the big gulp!
He then turned and gave me a very nice pose before diving again. To heck with me, he had more breakfast to catch!
Double-Crested Cormorant
Another day on a cloudy evening, I snapped a few more of him. It was in the next two shots that I actually noticed just how sharp the tip of a cormorant’s beak is, which answered my own question on how was he so lucky on snagging that big fish the other day!
Double-Crested Cormorant
Double-Crested Cormorant
In the mornings, from my balcony I watch the cormorants flying by either in a small flock or just a loner. It is always a pretty contrast to see them against a blue sky with the rising sun shining on them.
Four Adults & One First Year Double-Crested Cormorants
Double-Crested Cormorants
Now a switch from the water birds to land birds, the American Robin is my next share and is a common resident in our community. At 10″ tall, they have a greyish back and rusty orange underside, and are a familiar bird to all. I’ve come across a nest on my loop and attempted to take a photo of the momma on egg-duty at a distance with a teleconverter attached to my telephoto lens. I was surprised how neat the shot turned out.
American Robin on egg-duty
When photographing a robin, I’ve noticed they appear to be giving a mean, angry glare. But for once, I captured this fella without the normal facial expression. In fact, he appears to be down right happy, doesn’t he??!!!
American Robin
An American Robin breaking out a song!
American Robin in Song with a Smile!
As I’ve been typing this, I’ve gotten up a few times to check the condition of our skies for the “super” moon tonight. Unfortunately, we have a full sky of clouds. 🙁 Bummer. I’ll keep checking for a bit but I have a feeling I’ll be enjoying it through some of your lens in your next post!
Have a pleasant Sunday and a marvelous week! And as always, thank you for stopping by!
