These pilings are what are left of a dock on the Ashley River at Middleton Place. The tide was going out and a crew of Double-crested Cormorants were using them as perches.

This one seemed to be investigating a crack in the wood.

I looked away and he either jumped or fell into the water.

I thought he might be going fishing but he flew right back out of the water.

There was room for a couple more birds to join them.

Middleton Place, Charleston, SC
April 17, 2021