Tag Archives: colony

Photographs: Birds, Photographs: Central California, Photographs: Nature, Photographs: Ocean & Coast, Photographs: Wildlife

Cormorant Colony II

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Cormorantn Colony II
Cormorant colony and rookery on a rocky prominese, Point Lobos.

Cormorant Colony II. © Copyright 2023 G Dan Mitchell.

Cormorant colony and rookery on a rocky prominese, Point Lobos.

This cormorant breeding colony was on a rocky prominence a short distance away from a trail I followed along a coastal bluff. Perhaps the birds felt safer with an uncrossable gulf between us. In any case, they mostly went about their business even though I was close enough to photograph them, positioned on the rock above Monterey Bay on a foggy morning.

Not all of their activities made sense to me, though some did. Half the birds were adults and half were (very large!) juveniles — the latter visible by means of their mottled feathers, their shorter beaks, and their incessant “feed me!” clamoring. From time to time one of the adults would arrive with a prize and the young birds became very interested!

G Dan Mitchell is a California photographer and visual opportunist. His book, “California’s Fall Color: A Photographer’s Guide to Autumn in the Sierra” is available from Heyday Books, Amazon, and directly from G Dan Mitchell.

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Photographs: Birds, Photographs: Central California, Photographs: Nature, Photographs: Ocean & Coast, Photographs: Wildlife

Cormorant Colony

Image Leave a comment
Cormorantn Colony
A Brandt’s cormorant colony on a rocky prominence at Point Lobos State Reserve.

Cormorant Colony. © Copyright 2023 G Dan Mitchell.

A Brandt’s cormorant colony on a rocky prominence at Point Lobos State Reserve.

I have been aware of California’s cormorants for years, but I have not photographed them much. I’m not sure why, except that they are often too far away or in rapid flight over the water. There are a few places at Point Lobos — and no doubt other coastal locations — where they establish colonies on outcroppings and islands like this one. Here they were close enough to the shore that I could photograph them with a long lens.

This is apparently a breeding colony. If you look closely you can see some slightly smaller birds with somewhat mottled feathers and shorter beaks — these are juveniles, waiting rather impatiently for a parent to come and deliver food.

G Dan Mitchell is a California photographer and visual opportunist. His book, “California’s Fall Color: A Photographer’s Guide to Autumn in the Sierra” is available from Heyday Books, Amazon, and directly from G Dan Mitchell.

Blog | About | Twitter | Flickr | Facebook | Email

Links to Articles, Sales and Licensing, my Sierra Nevada Fall Color book, Contact Information.

Scroll down to leave a comment or question. (Click this post’s title first if you are viewing on the home page.)

All media © Copyright G Dan Mitchell and others as indicated. Any use requires advance permission from G Dan Mitchell.