Upcoming weather forecast
I went out shooting yesterday at two different locations, once at Farmington Bay in the morning, then twice at a pond near where I live, once in the morning and once in the afternoon. The day was sunny, cool and bright and I knew that bad weather (for bird photography anyway) was coming in so I felt like I needed to make the most of the day.
I’ll post some images later that I took using my new tripod set up but today I wanted to share some images of a Double-crested Cormorant from yesterday afternoon at the pond.
Double-crested Cormorant with a large fish – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/800, ISO 320, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
There have been several late migrating or overwintering Double-crested Cormorants at the pond and I photographed a few of them yesterday morning but the action I saw and photographed in the afternoon was much more interesting. When I first got to the pond I saw one of the Double-crested Cormorants up close with a large fish that it was struggling with. Soon another cormorant joined it and they both kept dropping the fish back into the water, fighting with each other and catching it again. The fish was alive at first.
Double-crested Cormorant swimming close up – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/800, ISO 320, -0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
The cormorants would let go of the fish and then dive to capture it again. The action was happening close up and fast so I didn’t have time to take my teleconverter off. I wish I had been able to.
The blue sky overhead reflected nicely on the water and turned it the most delicious shades of blue.
California Gull and a large fish – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 320, -0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
The California Gulls that frequent the pond also tried to catch the fish but I think they kept dropping it because the fish was heavy. This image would have been wonderful if I would have had my teleconverter off because I could have gotten all of the gull’s body instead of clipping so much of it.
Double-crested Cormorant with its catch – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1000, ISO 320, -0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
One of the cormorants caught the fish again…
Double-crested Cormorant about to swallow a fish – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1000, ISO 320, -0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
But turned away as it swallowed the large fish whole so I didn’t get any great images of that action. I wish I had!
Double-crested Cormorant splashing after eating – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 320, -0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
After the Double-crested Cormorant swam away it started splashing its wings on the water and created a wake behind it.
It was fun photographing this Double-crested Cormorant with its catch yesterday afternoon close to home especially since I knew the weather was going to take a turn.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Double-crested Cormorant photos plus facts and information about this species.
Great series of shots Mia. I didn’t think a cormorant could take on a fish of that size. Amazing! Where there’s a will…there’s a way, I guess. Thanks.
Nice series with the close ups! I would have liked to see the swallowing too.
That is one BIG mouthful (and meal).
Your pictures are awesome. I like the closeness of the shot and the clarity. Would have loved to see the fish fight.
Wonder if they can fly immediately after consuming such a large meal?
Seems impossible…
Great shots. You wonder how they can swallow a fish almost the size of their heads but they do.
Amazing photos, Mia. I guess size doesn’t matter for the Cormorants. Thats a pretty large looking fish.
Wonderful shots! Great to see the action.