Prepare To Dive...

Still sharing photos taken Sunday at Palm Point Nature Park here in Gainesville. I always count it as an 'extra-special' day when I see and have the opportunity to photograph Double-crested Cormorants. They dive under water to catch fish and then paddle around like ducks while floating on the surface. They are the most common Cormorant across the U.S. and Canada. Florida has a large resident population which doesn't travel north to breed. They can be found fishing in both salt and fresh water. Their feathers are not completely waterproof so they need to spend time with wings out-stretched, drying their feathers after being in the water. I love their orange bare skin at the base of their bills and of course, their turquoise or teal-blue eyes! Their eye color intensifies during breeding season. m