Cormorant Closeup

The big water birds really do come out after a big storm! While I was at the back of the park checking on the dam, and to see how high the water level had gotten, I was surprised to see this Double-Crested Cormorant sitting right up close.

I couldn't believe my eyes! My camera's low battery indicator had begun to flash at me again, but I couldn't stop to change batteries now! I had to get pictures of this bird because this might be the only chance I would ever have to get any this close ever again. This was a dream come true!

I think I surprised the cormorant as much as he surprised me, because he seemed to be very confused about what to do now. He kept moving his head from the left and to the right as if he was wondering which way to go. I could tell he wanted desperately to leave, but he was worried I might catch him if he moved.

These birds normally stay very far from humans while they're out here. If they're in the water, they never come up close to beg for food with the geese or ducks. The perches they choose are always out at a far away area on the water where nobody can get to them. If a human seems too close, they always swim to another part of the lake.

I really love the black color of these double-crested cormorants. You know, the word cormorant comes from the Latin word corvus marinus, which means sea crow. I guess that makes a lot of sense because of the black color of both birds. Although the cormorant looks considerably uglier than a crow.

Really, look at that goony face of this cormorant. I wouldn't say this bird is beautiful like a swan or even a goose or duck. The shape of every animal's face has a purpose though. A cormorant's face and beak are made just especially for catching fish. They actually look similar to a pelican or other fishing bird. Don't you wonder what a cormorant looks like when it's fishing?

After I stole about a hundred pictures from this cormorant, it finally decided which way it wanted to go when it made its escape. It slowly turned towards its left so I wouldn't notice. Then when it was in just the right position, it jumped into the water to escape to freedom. Just like the egret yesterday, I wasn't quite fast enough to get the picture.

I have now shown you cormorants doing very many different things in my posts, as I came across these guys. I wonder what else I might be able to show you. Could there be anything else? I guess we'll all find out when the time comes. I really like these cormorants, no matter how ugly they might seem sometimes.