Cormorant in breeding plumage
I’ve never seen a Cormorant in breeding plumage before. When I spot one far off in the channel of the River Lemon, a tributary of the River Teign I’m thrilled.
I walk very slowly towards the bank. Then it dives underwater with barely a splash. I run for it, down the river and as close to the edge of the bank as I can get. I’m trying to guess where it’s going to reemerge.
It bobs up in front of me:

I can barely contain my excitement. I’m lying down with my lens poking through long reeds. It dives again and I scan the swirling river for its presence.
It appears even closer and I get a clear view of its emerald green eye and red face patch together with that wild white headdress.

What a transformation.
More Cormorants
Cloaca Birds, like most vertebrates, apart from many mammals, have a cloaca. Cloaca is Latin for sewer and is the combined… read more
Hanging out the washing I love seeing a Great Cormorant drying its wings in the sunshine. Especially when you can see the beautiful bronze… read more
A tracery of droplets A visit to Chard Reservoir is always a welcome trip. I'm here because my son and his partner are using… read more
Cormorant in Brixham Harbour The colours of Brixham boats reflected in the water of the harbour make a superb backdrop to the bird life… read more
Cormorant sunset I've come for the day to RSPB Lodmoor in Weymouth. It's grey and dull and there's little action from the… read more
A wild cruise I love being on ferries and small boats. It's not something I do very often, so when my son Gabriel… read more
A day trip to Stronsay Stronsay is one of the 'other' Orkney islands. I've not been there before because there's no way of getting there… read more
The Cormorant at the Quay As I walk down to the town Quay I see a Cormorant surface with a huge fish. I start running… read more
A grey day on the Teign I'm out with my son in the early morning. He has a camera too and takes a photo of me.… read more