Backyard Zoology · 23 August 2020
2020-08-23T18:45:32+10:00
https://www.facebook.com/backyardzoology/posts/pfbid02R7KTACsXZsQJqagPRWdpZ1qjVYeqz31TbY4mCkRFDfdhiG7nQfgVsChBt8p7Jpiel

We took a road less travelled yesterday ie we veered off the bike path, not far off even, still being able to see the bikes and people passing by, through the trees. I know, a pair of total adventurers 😂 But we did stumble upon five Little Pied Cormorants, who were far enough from everyone to sit quietly on a submerged tree, preening occasionally, shaking like a dog, the shiver moving from the top of their heads down to the tail, ripple like. 

It was a bit of an effort to get down to the waterline without making too much noise and I was thankful when the fallen crunchy leaves turned to a carpet of pine needles, though they were way more slippery. I was clinging onto any tree trunk that looked like it could support a 46 year old, travelling at speed 😂 The effort was totally worth it though and we got to spend a decent amount of time with these birds. 

I promise there were five individuals although looking at these photos, you can see I had my favourite. Probably for the best then, that I only have one child!!!

Little Pied Cormorants
Thirroul