What kind or bird is this?

[grandpawrichard]

I realize they are hard to see in the photo, but they were a very long ways away; even for a 400 mm. lens and a Lot of Cropping!



They were very BIG birds and they really made huge splashes on the water while they took baths. My vision isn't as good as it should be and my bird knowledge base isn't what it should be.

Dick

[KopperBuck]

I would guess a Cormorant of sorts. Although I don't recall seeing one so light, maybe females or juveniles?

[grandpawrichard]

I would guess a Cormorant of sorts. Although I don't recall seeing one so light, maybe females or juveniles?

  Doh!  I should have know they were Cormorants!  Thank you! 

Dick

[grandpawrichard]

From what I have been told now, the birds are a Double Crested Cormorant. I had never seen or heard of them before.

Dick

[KopperBuck]

That's the one. Thanks, like I said I've never seen one with those colors before, but after looking online I saw a few. Either way, I hate the damn things! 

[grandpawrichard]

I have spent a lifetime fishing the lakes and rivers of the Skagit Valley and in all of that time on the water I do not remember ever seeing this type of Cormorant, much less taking their photos!

Dick

[wadu1]

Double-crested Cormorant juveniles