This Double-crested Cormorant took a long time showing off his catch, more than the usual maneuvers for easiest swallowing.
He did show off his flipping skills.
And catching.
After a few minutes I walked away and he was still paddling around with the fish.
Huntington Beach State Park, SC
November 9, 2021
A Double-crested Cormorant skipped across the water as he took off.
It takes a lot of flapping and a few foot splashes …
and he’s off!
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
November 27, 2021
Double-crested Cormorants were calmly sunning on the Spoonie Tree when a Great Egret dropped in.
Then a Black-crowned Night-heron joined the gathering.
It was close to a crash landing, but the Night-heron made it, perhaps to the surprise of the Cormorant.
Then the Night-heron lost points for not sticking the landing. Not that anyone is keeping score.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
November 27, 2021
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
This scene reminded me of a museum diorama, almost made up with the variety of occupants.
This log at the edge of one of Magnolia Plantation’s ponds is often occupied by a drying Anhinga, but on this day a Double-crested Cormorant had possession.
I have rarely seen one this close, and he seemed to only be paying attention to the warm sun.
About an hour later when I passed back by, sunlight was no longer shining on the pond or the bird, and the Cormorant was in the same spot.
And he was just as uninterested in passers by.
This was the scene under the Spoonbill Tree at Donnelley Wildlife Management Area on a recent cold and windy morning. The Roseate Spoonbills were wisely at the back of the pond, tucked under a bigger tree.
A few Gallinules were popping in and out view and the Great Blue Heron seemed on the verge of doing something as he repositioned several times.
The GBH moved back into the water when a Great Egret appeared. This dead tree, which has been a great perch for a Roseate Spoonbills over the last few years, has taken another step towards its end as another good size limb has fallen off this winter.
I was expecting the Heron to drive off the other birds the way he came back around the front of the island all puffed up.
But he decided to ignore whatever was going on behind him at least for the moment, as one lone gull paddled by.
February 4, 2021
This scene of a cattail, some pond-side greens, and a Double-crested Cormorant made me think of a bouquet.
I edged along the path to get a better angle and the Cormorant decided to relocate.
He wasn’t in any particular hurry, with a gentle splash he dropped into the water.
Then he headed toward the middle of the pond.
Lots of folks confuse these two water birds, it was interesting to see them side-by-side, watching one of each compete for the same space.
The immediate way to tell them apart is the Anhinga has a straight bill and the Cormorant’s is hooked.
The Anhinga won the first round of “King of the Hill.”
A few minutes later one of the Cormorants returned, showing off his feet as he looked to get closer to the stump.
An Ibis was on the scene, but had no interest in the competition.
Another view showing off the beak comparison.
We call it the Spoonie Tree because the Roseate Spoonbills often perch there, but it really is first come, first served and this year I’ve seen more Double-crested Cormorants than Spoonbills.
The Cormorants were just enjoying the sun and grooming, but the Spoonbills had a need to agitate.
Getting an image with all heads up didn’t work out that day.
The Snowy Egrets came and went, mostly ignored by the others.
January 16, 2020
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
