Bird Watching in Aurora [0001]: Double-Crested Cormorant

I am sure that by now everyone must have seen double-crested cormorants on the landmark tree at the McKenzie Marsh, St. John's Sideroad in Aurora. I remember when first time I saw them - I was so excited. I photograph them, I read about them. Sometimes, I felt like I was an expert in cormorants - especially when people would stop me and ask me if I knew what they were. It was about three years ago when I first time saw them. I don't know if they were there before that time.

Surprisingly, first one I saw was in the water fishing. It was cool to watch them because they would dive under the water and next thing they would come out in different location. Then I observed them residing on the tree which is close to the boardwalk. Sometimes when days were gloomy and that tree had many cormorants on every branch - the place looks spooky, really spooky. I remember those days when the great blue heron and night herons would sit on that tree too, however, have not seen them since the cormorant invasion.

Another interesting thing about cormorants is that they don't have oil glands in their wings, thus sometimes you will see them sitting with wings open to dry on the sun. But the most fascinating thing about them are their feet. The anatomy of their web like feet is very similar to the duck or goose, yet than can easily wrap them around the tree branch and sit still, and sometimes on one foot only.

So next time when you are passing by the McKenzie Marsh you will know what they are. The biggest population of them always been at the McKenzie Marsh. You can enjoy a beautiful view from the boardwalk. Unfortunately they do not stay here over the winter, but I am sure that they will be here for another few weeks if you still want to see them.

I will be showcasing more photos of the double-crested cormorants from Aurora in my future posts. However, if you want to learn more about cormorants, wikipedia is the place. I think by now you should know that I am actually fan of Wikipedia.