21 July 2012

Cormorants - Pelican Point, Central Coast

Taken a few months ago now. The cormorants were way out in the distance, and I didn't have a tele-converter lens then to help out some.  Still the images seemed o.k. enough to share today (when my stock-pile is running on low).

thanks to Paul Randall, Wings on Wire, he identifies this one as the Great (Black) Cormorant








...but this one with a black 'eye-band' had me puzzled.
Later addition:  It's been suggested, Pied Cormorant.  That this is not an eye-band, but more-so the top of the bird's head i.e. it has it's head tilted.  Why hadn't I picked up on that? 

and since the Great Cormorant next to it was taking off, no doubt it was glancing sideways.  How easy we can be deceived; was almost hoping I'd discovered a new species!

16 comments:

  1. they are pretty up against the blue water! the black and white is gorgeous!

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  2. I agree with TWG. Do you know what kind of bird the black and white one is? Its very striking.

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  3. that distinctive band across the eye is quite a variation to any in my book; hoping someone will solve it for us.

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  4. They look great to me. I like the couple with necks crossed especially. xo Jenny

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  5. Beautiful photos! Love that blue water! I've never been able to get that close to cormorants. I have no idea what the black/white bird is, but I'd like to know.

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  6. Nice shots with lovely contrasts.....well done Carole.

    Greetings, Joop

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  7. is he showing off for the ladies or is he just drying his wings? (:

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  8. Anonymous12:09 am

    Beautiful Cormorant captures, Carole.
    I think the bird is a Black-faced Cormorant.

    Search this website- ozanimails(.)com

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  9. That is one bird who didnt want to get wet... At all, lol.
    Excellent photos Carole, the Colours are spot on and composed really well.
    Shaun
    July Giveaway @ ValleysShutterBug

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  10. Hopefully we'll have an answer on the little cormorant, just what it's name is. I've sent an email off this morning with an ID request.

    Pam: thanks for your suggestion, I did check out the website but the black-faced cormorant/shag lives around Tassie and southern parts of Australia according to my reference. Also, it doesn't have the white over the top of head.

    Each cormorant reference I've checked appears to be black over the head top, so this one really stands out from the rest doesn't it?

    I'll let each of you know when I have some helpful pointer on this one.

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  11. In the first two pictures he looks like he's saying "hey, look at me!"

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  12. Don't have any idea what kind of birds, but they are nice to see. Guess you will have to take another trip Carole to add to your stash of pics...LOL! Lucky you!!!!
    Paper Hugs,
    Jan

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  13. Thank you for your last comment. To answer your question, we think your little cormorant is a Little pied cormorant (Microcarbo melanoleucos). Some pictures on this site may be able to help you : http://!www.oiseaux.net/oiseaux/cormoran.pie.html

    Ideally, we pressed to come to Australia to see it !!! ;-)
    CĂ©line & Philippe

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  14. Can't help with the cormorant ID fromover here Garole, but you have nice pics of both species. That large one looks really large too.

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  15. Carole, the birds are delightful, the sand shows up in such detail, and that water couldn't look a more refreshing shade of blue! As usual, wish I was there! :-)

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  16. loved all the comments, thanks to all; Sharyl it's not sand there but a huge rock-shelf at low-tide

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thanks for visiting Snap Happy Birding, and for leaving a comment; I can still see them. Now both my blogs are resting in idle mode. It was time to give other things priority, even though I miss my regular blogging and the feedback that came my way over the years. Take care.