"HERE BE DRAGONS"

Double-Crested Cormorants (Adult & Immature) - 7 Photos

When I have seen Double-Crested Cormorants (particularly in numbers) perched in trees, because of their black colouring and hooked bills, they remind me at times of vultures. However, having managed to capture a few over the course of some days, that image has developed to one of mythical dragons. And when you can examine the black feathers close-up, their shading almost give the appearance of scales.

My opinion of perhaps a timid, easily frightened fishing bird also changed when I watched one aggressively defend itself against a magpie. I have seen magpies on some occasions bully American Bald Eagles (adult & juvenile) to where the eagles will fly from their perches. Not so "our dragon". It literally stood its perch and the magpie appears perplexed - "That's odd, that tactic works on eagles?" (Photo #2)

The second set of photos (Photos 5,6 & 7) are of an immature cormorant, the first I have ever had an opportunity to see and photograph. I love its contrasting black & cream feathers.

PHOTO #1 - Cormorant (Adult)

PHOTO #2 - Cormorant (Adult) & Magpie

PHOTO #3 - Cormorant (Adult)

PHOTO #4 - Cormorant (Adult)

PHOTO #5 - Cormorants (Adult & Immature)

PHOTO #6 - Cormorant (Immature)

PHOTO #7 - Cormorant (Immature)