Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) on the shore of the Gulf of Mexico, Florida
Nikon D200, handheld, f7.1, 1/500, ISO 160, Nikkor 80-400mm VR at 300mm, natural light
Double-crested Cormorants are the most widespread of North American cormorants where they are found in salt and freshwater habitats. Double-crested Cormorants pursue fish under the water and because of their webbed feet they can swim rapidly. They can live up to 18 years and their status is secure. I love how their dark plumage sets of the beautiful blue eyes and orangish colored facial skin.
Mia
More Double-crested Cormorant images
Beautiful capture Mia! The detail is excellent!
Thanks much Tammy!
The eye is like a jewel.
Yes they are Robert, like a stunning Sapphire!
Gorgeous photos, I love their eyes.
Thank you Eileen, their eyes are beautiful!
Great capture of the colors and texture of the face Mia.
Thanks Dan! They can be such fun to photograph.
Mia, what a gorgeous shot! I love how you captured that eye! We have a lot of these here in Louisville, KY near the river. I am still hoping to get a close enough or clear enough shot to capture those beautiful eyes! Nice work!
Karen, thank you for you comment. The Double-crested Cormorants we have here don’t have such a vivid blue eye, ours are a bit duller in color but I think the whitish crests here compared to the black ones in FL are fascinating.
Cormorants are such great birds, you took a very nice photo of this one Mia.
Thanks so much for your comment PrairieBirder
I really like Cormorants too. Their eyes are stunning and their beak looks like it’s made of polished quartz. It’s nice to see on down on the sand too, on a more natural habitat than on the gross peers and canal spillways where I see them in Phoenix.
Laurence, their eyes are stunning and I agree with you about the bills looking like polished quartz, great description! Thank you for your comments.