Cormorants are usually really skittish. Even when they are fishing far away from the shore, they will usually take off as soon as they sense my presence. When I spotted the unmistakable silhouette of a cormorant perched on the remnants of a duck blind in the waters off of Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge this past Monday, I fully expected that it would fly away before I got within range to take a decent shot.
As I was approaching, I could see that it was a juvenile Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus)—juveniles are paler around the neck and breast than adults and have more exposed orange skin around the bill. Perhaps this young cormorant had not yet developed a fear of humans, but whatever the reasons was, the beautiful blue-eyed bird remained in place as I took some shots from different angles and was still there when I silently moved away.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
“Wow!” says Benjamin, “Look at his paddle feet so he can swim and a fish hook beak to catch fishes.” Benjamin is his Daddy’s fishing buddy. They always release their catch because he likes to see the fish swim away. This juvenile seems to be posing for his photo. Thank-you, Mr. Mike!!
After reading a condensed version of the post and looking at the enlarged photo, we talked about this Cormorant. I added our comment and much to Benjamin’s dismay it somehow disappeared…”try again, Gem” and so I am. Benjamin said : “Wow! Look at his paddle feet so he can swim and his fish hook beak to catch fishes.” Benjamin is his Daddy’s fishing buddy. They always release their catch because he likes to see the fish swim away. This juvenile Cormorant is a beauty and not camera shy. Thank-you, Mr. Mike!!
Sorry, after posting again the first appeared. Benjamin said : “That’s all right Gem, don’t worry. You just need more practice.” I can’t imagine where he has heard those words, hmm!
Nice capture and cool to see this youngster up close! Love those feet.
Great portrait. It is cool to see those feet and the way they are gripping the fence slats. I had no idea that their feet were that flexible.
The orange skin and black webbed feet complement each other very nicely. The black webbed feet make me think of hands in black gloves – smooth ladies gloves like my mum used to wear occasionally! I find it kinda amusing 🙂