This Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) was focusing so intently on the water yesterdy that I thought it was stalking a fish. I was initially shocked at the size of the fish that it pulled out of the water until I realized that it was only a large leaf.
The cormorant waved the leaf around proudly until it finally let go of the leaf. Obviously this bird has a policy of “catch and release.”
Undeterred, the cormorant went back to fishing—I never did see him land one, but he might have been catching small fish during his dives.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
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I love the photo of him releasing the leaf. Imagine his initial excitement — until he realized he’d pulled up a bit of salad.
I always have a special fondness for watching wildlife not being perfect — you captured it well here, Michael.
Thanks, Jet. Judging from the coloration, I think this is a juvenile cormorant, so it may not yet have developed fully its fishing skills.
It was a BIG leaf…