EMPTY NESTER

To begin attracting a mate,
The male Brandt Cormorant begins nest building.
Kind of a build-it-and-they-will come sort of thing.

50 Cormorants connected,
Assembling 25 nests that hang from a small rocky ledge.

Except for one.
This little guy tugs at my heart strings. 
Every day he drops a small amount of nesting material on the ground.
Then draws his head back to display his blue throat patch.
Spreads his tail. Flaps his wings..
Sadly, no female responds.

When he tires of this posturing.
He flies off for more nesting material.
Returns and finds his grasses gone. 
Stolen.

If it’s possible for a bird to look forlorn.
You’re looking at one.