Immature Double-crested Cormorant drying its wings – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/4000, ISO 800, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Last winter I missed seeing overwintering Double-crested Cormorants at my local ponds and in other locations in northern Utah where I typically see them. We had a mild winter with less than average snowfall and I didn’t understand why I wasn’t seeing these fish-eating waterbirds. Typically I see Double-crested Cormorants in every month of the year here except for last winter and it puzzled me.
A few days ago I saw several Double-crested Cormorants flying into my local pond as I moved my Jeep from the road to the driveway close to sunset and that started me wondering about them again. I photographed this immature cormorant drying its wings at my local pond in November of 2018.
I enjoy photographing the Double-crested Cormorants at my local pond on winter evenings because of the golden light that can be found then. I like watching them cruising the pond for fish, interacting with other cormorants, and chasing some of the diving ducks around while trying to steal their prey. I also keep hoping to photograph them flying in formation down to the pond with the snow covered Wasatch Mountains in the background.
Will I see overwintering Double-crested Cormorants this winter?
I really don’t know. The Wasatch Mountains are already snow topped and it won’t be long before winter arrives in the valley too. I will have to wait and see.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Double-crested Cormorant photos plus facts and information about this species.
I really, really hope you see them this year.
There are usually some on the pond by the tailings and smelter on I-80. I have not seen any this year.
Cormorants are among my favourite birds to see though not so common here so I will keep my fingers crossed that they return for you so I can enjoy them vicariously through your shots.
I saw 2 overwintering cormorants yesterday at BRMBR. The juvenile was doing what I like to call Maestro wings as they thermo regulated. It is so quiet there, though, as I am sure you have seen for yourself. Have you read the proposed Utah Water Resources proposed plan? It is “interesting”. I have “comments”.