Late Arrival

Late Thursday afternoon, just as we were about to leave, we saw this Double-crested Cormorant make a brisk arrival in the salt marsh.

Most of the other birds had already left but this fellow’s plan was not to make friends, it was there to fish. The tide had been coming in bringing not only the water level up to a point the cormorants like it, but also hopefully a fresh supply of tasty fish.

28 thoughts on “Late Arrival”

lylekrahn on December 29, 2012 at 1:27 pm said:

Great landing for both of you.

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- Phil Lanoue on December 29, 2012 at 5:28 pm said:
  
  Their takeoff is practically hysterical, seems like it goes on forever to get airborne.
  
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janmasyn on December 29, 2012 at 2:05 pm said:

A perfect landing Phil 🙂

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- Phil Lanoue on December 29, 2012 at 5:29 pm said:
  
  Thanks very much Jan.
  
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Chillbrook on December 29, 2012 at 2:09 pm said:

I love the way they do that. Smashing captures Phil. 🙂

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- Phil Lanoue on December 29, 2012 at 5:32 pm said:
  
  Thanks a bunch Adrian, I appreciate it. 🙂
  
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jimbey on December 29, 2012 at 2:55 pm said:

Great shots, Phil! I almost never get to see cormorants in the wild – just a ton of anhingas.

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- Phil Lanoue on December 29, 2012 at 5:29 pm said:
  
  At this point I would much rather see anhingas. The cormorants are everywhere and I really like how the anhingas fish, spearing it and then flinging it in the air!
  Thanks for checking these out!
  
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littlesundog on December 29, 2012 at 3:09 pm said:

Beautiful!!

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- Phil Lanoue on December 29, 2012 at 5:32 pm said:
  
  Thanks for looking!
  
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sallywoodphotography on December 29, 2012 at 3:31 pm said:

Love the way you were able to catch the lighting on the beak and face,, with the eye!

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- Phil Lanoue on December 29, 2012 at 5:32 pm said:
  
  Thanks for you kind comments Sally!
  
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Kate on December 29, 2012 at 3:41 pm said:

I love how water fowl land—full out skiing! ; )

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- Phil Lanoue on December 29, 2012 at 5:34 pm said:
  
  For these guys the takeoff is a lot of fun. They skip along the water taking what seems like forever to get airborne. 🙂
  
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Gunta on December 29, 2012 at 5:43 pm said:

The second shot really does look like water skiing. I love the take-offs. Next to the gulls, these guys are the most commonly seen out here year round. We only get the herons and egrets in the winter and they’re very shy about being photographed.

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- Phil Lanoue on December 30, 2012 at 4:59 pm said:
  
  Thanks for checking these out and commenting Gunta, and glad you like them!
  We are lucky in our area that many of the herons and egrets get fairly used to seeing people and vehicles and don’t always immediately fly off. We can always spot the youngsters and newcomers because those will be the ones that will fly away as we approach.
  
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Molly Argo on December 29, 2012 at 6:30 pm said:

Beautiful photos! I love to watch these birds fish!

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- Phil Lanoue on December 30, 2012 at 5:00 pm said:
  
  Thanks molly, and yes these guys are very good at what they do and a nice size group of them can wipe out a pond in no time.
  
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adinparadise on December 30, 2012 at 12:00 am said:

Fantastic captures, Phil. He really did quite a skid in, didn’t he? Fishies be afraid, be very afraid. 🙂

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- Phil Lanoue on December 30, 2012 at 5:01 pm said:
  
  Thank you so much Sylvia! Those fishies better be afraid. These guys are expert at catching fish! 🙂
  
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monisertel on December 30, 2012 at 12:50 pm said:

Hello Phil,
great captured, brilliant snapshots!

Wish you a Happy New Year!
Greetings from Germany
moni

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- Phil Lanoue on December 30, 2012 at 5:02 pm said:
  
  Thank you moni, I am so happy you like these and I appreciate your kind comments!
  HNY to you from the United States
  
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Angelia Sims on December 30, 2012 at 11:41 pm said:

I got to see one of these at our urban pond up the road. I recognized the way he sat drying his wings while floating in the water. So funny.

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- Phil Lanoue on January 1, 2013 at 4:30 pm said:
  
  It is interesting and often amusing to see them holding their wings out to dry. The anhingas do the same thing.
  
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FeyGirl on December 30, 2012 at 11:41 pm said:

Ah, great landing and capture!! Just perfect…..

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- Phil Lanoue on January 1, 2013 at 4:30 pm said:
  
  Thanks, I’m glad you enjoyed these pics!
  
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Bella Remy Photography on December 31, 2012 at 8:18 pm said:

Looks like a day late and a dollar short. 🙂

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- Phil Lanoue on January 1, 2013 at 4:35 pm said:
  
  These goofy cormorants end up doing alright for themselves. They can fish out a pond with the best of them.
  
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