Cormorant in breeding plumage
I’ve never seen a Great 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.
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