I spotted these guys while out walking Ava this morning.
Two were familiar faces.
This one objected to our presence even though we were probably 30 yards away.
I have no idea what this guy is. Do you?
When I first saw the three from a long distance, I thought he (she?) was a blue heron; there’s one that hangs out in the vicinity. But this bird was small and graceless. It might be a heron, but only in its dreams.
I didn’t actually get a good look while I was there. We were pretty far apart. Seems one of my gift cameras (thanks, MJ!) has a very good zoom lens, though. Opening this image up on my computer gave me the first detailed look at the critter. Ugly thing and not familiar.
He didn’t like being photographed and soon flew off while the two gulls continued to perch on their pilings, screeching at Ava and me to get lost.
At a guess, I would say it’s a cormorant.
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Double-crested_Cormorant/id
I agree. Some trivia:
http://www.10000birds.com/cormorants-darters
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liver_bird
It’s definitely a cormorant. More specifically, it looks to be a double crested cormorant (based on it’s yellow-orange face).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=az3P8Y3IgBs
Claire, I have Blue Herons in my area. In the summer, there’s one that flies across the rear of my yard along the wood line in the evenings, like clockwork, when I’m sitting out back, on their way to Black Creek.
https://youtu.be/8J1hTp_lHYI
My older son, his girlfriend and my soon to be grandson # 2 live in Churchville and Black Creek is just off of their backyard.
I just remembered this use for cormorants: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJ4Fujsr274
And a brief informative video on the breed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1WojCh4ZXM
Ah, teamwork. 🙂 Not only a cormorant, but a double crested cormorant. Thank you. I wonder if I’ve seen them around before and thought they were ducks?
And cormorant fishing, Shel? Ick. The poor birds!
“Poor birds?”
According to a documentary I saw recently they are treated very well when not working, and don’t have to worry about predators getting to them or to their nests. Apparently they can count, and negotiate with their managers.
After they catch their quota of fish they refuse to go again until the string gets untied and they get their cut.
Crazy. I just saw that same documentary 2 days ago. All I could think of while watching that dude trying to keep the tethers from tangling up was how was this a better idea than a dang net like the rest of the world?
I used to like cormorants until I got involved with the local salmon hatchery. Seems they’ve become attuned to fish release time. Cormorants eat the baby fish by the hundreds. Not allowed to use firecrackers or other deterrents, so last year we Ruby started swimming around the release area. The birds seemed to stay on their perches while she was in the water. Not sure how they fared after she left, but at least they got a half hour head start.
Oh, good for you and Ms Rubydog!
Btw Claire, looks like a beautiful place for a morning walk!
It is, thank you. It’s not quite as serene as the photos imply, but it beats the heck out of the Silicon Valley concrete I grew up with.