Cormorant Takeoff

Last week I grabbed a few shots of this cormorant as it took off from out of the marsh pond. Normally when a cormorant does a running takeoff it continues on in a straight line. This one however did a somewhat odd hover maneuver as if once it got airborne it couldn’t decide which way it wanted to go, or even why it wanted to leave in the first place.

It ended up settling in a nearby tree which I suspect may not have been it’s original destination…I believe it altered it’s flight plan while in mid air!

36 thoughts on “Cormorant Takeoff”

Judi van der Kaay on March 17, 2013 at 5:02 pm said:

Had a chuckle there – he does look very confused and seems like the question of “huh – now what?”

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- Phil Lanoue on March 17, 2013 at 5:06 pm said:
  
  That’s exactly what I was thinking he was thinking! 🙂
  
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pixelspielerei on March 17, 2013 at 5:10 pm said:

Great, greater, Phil! ☺
Nice pics – once again!

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- Phil Lanoue on March 18, 2013 at 2:16 pm said:
  
  Thanks very much, so glad you like these pics!
  
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janmasyn on March 17, 2013 at 5:39 pm said:

You did it again Phil, great shots, excellent job.

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- Phil Lanoue on March 18, 2013 at 2:16 pm said:
  
  I appreciate your kind words Jan, thanks.
  
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Gunta on March 17, 2013 at 5:39 pm said:

That look definitely says “duuuh?”

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- Phil Lanoue on March 18, 2013 at 2:17 pm said:
  
  Yeah he looks a bit confused. Well…more then usual. 🙂
  
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meyer23 on March 17, 2013 at 5:45 pm said:

Great shots. The first is my favorite.

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- Phil Lanoue on March 18, 2013 at 2:17 pm said:
  
  Thanks I’m really happy like them!
  
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mariayarri on March 17, 2013 at 5:51 pm said:

Great photo as always ! Maria 🙂

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- Phil Lanoue on March 18, 2013 at 2:17 pm said:
  
  Thanks Maria, I appreciate you looking and commneting!
  
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Garden Walk Garden Talk on March 17, 2013 at 7:39 pm said:

Cormorants are funny looking birds anyway. We get them here in Fall for their migration. They look funny sunning on the rocks. I never take my long lens down to the Niagara River because the walk is so difficult, but maybe I will sometime. They are interesting birds, but still a little funny looking. Mice photos as always Phil.

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- Phil Lanoue on March 18, 2013 at 2:19 pm said:
  
  Oh yeah they are goofy looking birds, and their takeoffs tend to look a bit rushed, but they are expert at fishing.
  Thanks I’m happy you liked these photos!
  
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Charlie@Seattle Trekker on March 17, 2013 at 7:46 pm said:

Your photos and background information is so informative, I really enjoy coming to your blog.

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- Phil Lanoue on March 18, 2013 at 2:19 pm said:
  
  I appreciate your kind words very much, thanks!
  
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Bella Remy Photography on March 17, 2013 at 7:55 pm said:

These are so great ! I love how well you stop action in these flight shots. I need lots more practice.

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- Phil Lanoue on March 18, 2013 at 2:19 pm said:
  
  Thanks Emily, I’m really happy you checked in on these and that you like them!
  
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  - Bella Remy Photography on March 18, 2013 at 2:51 pm said:
    
    But of course darling. Say, would you mind sharing your camera settings on this series? You have full crisp focus throughout and I was curious. Thanks!
    
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    - Phil Lanoue on March 18, 2013 at 4:13 pm said:
      
      You got my dear.
      This was late day and the lighting was actually not too wonderful where the cormorant was located so for this dark bird I had to go up to 400 on the ISO to get me 1000 shutter and 6.3 lens. Just barely enough to stop the action. Manual exposure using a Canon 300 f4 with a Canon 1.4 extender attached on a 7D. That’s pretty much my standard combo. 🙂
      
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Shelley on March 18, 2013 at 12:20 am said:

Love the way you get into their itty-bitty little minds, Phil. Can’t wait for shots of the swan.

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- Phil Lanoue on March 18, 2013 at 2:20 pm said:
  
  So glad you are enjoying the photos and the little stories! 🙂
  
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pischinjo on March 18, 2013 at 4:30 am said:

Wow………..

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- Phil Lanoue on March 18, 2013 at 2:20 pm said:
  
  Thanks much for looking!
  
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monisertel on March 18, 2013 at 8:33 am said:

Hello Phil,
he looks so confused, so scary, think maybe it is a young Cormoran.
Stunning pictures!!!
Wish you a good start in the new week (without confusion) 😉
moni

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- Phil Lanoue on March 18, 2013 at 2:21 pm said:
  
  He does look confused. Thanks very much moni hope you have a great week as well!
  
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thehappyhugger on March 18, 2013 at 12:49 pm said:

Good pics, Phil. The bird isn’t exactly the most graceful though 🙂

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- Phil Lanoue on March 18, 2013 at 2:21 pm said:
  
  Thanks. Yes there are not especially graceful on the takeoff but they make up for it with their fishing expertise. 🙂
  
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Chillbrook on March 18, 2013 at 3:47 pm said:

Cute. Very nicely captured Phil! 🙂

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- Phil Lanoue on March 18, 2013 at 4:13 pm said:
  
  I’m happy you enjoyed these Adrian, thanks!
  
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adinparadise on March 18, 2013 at 5:46 pm said:

The look on his face is absolutely priceless, Phil. He looks like a very bewildered cormorant. I feel so sorry for him. 😦

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- Phil Lanoue on March 19, 2013 at 9:55 am said:
  
  He does look quite bewildered doesn’t he?! 🙂
  
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niasunset on March 18, 2013 at 7:07 pm said:

seems so funny in the air… 🙂 Great shots again. Thanks and Love, nia

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- Phil Lanoue on March 19, 2013 at 9:56 am said:
  
  Thank you Nia, so glad you like these!
  
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lost in sweden on March 21, 2013 at 2:32 am said:

Since a giant cormorant once sat next to my I a little row boat, I’m so scared of these birds!! They are gigantic!

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- Phil Lanoue on March 22, 2013 at 10:57 am said:
  
  It’s funny and you are right, from a distance they do not look too huge, but up close they are indeed very large birds.
  They should not be *too* scary though, they are actually kind of goofy. 🙂
  
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