Picture Of The Week 04-05-10

Double-crested Cormorant
(Phalacrocorax auritus)

Where: Richmond, VA • James River Notes: This shot was taken as I waited on the bank of the James River in Richmond. I was hopeful for a Common Merganser to swim down the narrow channel in front of me. When, suddenly this bird arose from the depths of the current, just a few yards away. Though this is not the same bird, or even the same species, as the one I was waiting for, I was at least ready for action. Since Cormorants do not have the same oils on their feathers as ducks, they are less buoyant, and thus, excellent divers. But this same fact makes it difficult for them to dry off and take flight, because they are wet. So they dry themselves in the sun or they have to run across the surface of the water to achieve flight. This scurry both sheds the excess water off their wing feathers and gives them the needed speed to take off.

Equipment: Canon EOS 40D • Canon 400mm f 5.6 Prime L Series Lens • Hand Held

Exposure: Shutter Speed = 1/1250 second • Aperture = f 8 • Exposure Mode = Aperture Priority • Focus Mode: One Shot • Lens (Focal) Length = 400 mm • ISO = 400 • Aprox. Camera Distance = ~25 Feet • Date Shot: 04-01-10

©2010 Robert W. Schamerhorn. All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication prohibited.

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PRINT: Double-crested Cormorant (No. 5784)
Size: 8" x 10" • Signed Print with 11" x 14" White Matte • S&H Included
Item: DCCO(IMG_5784)8X10 . . . $39.95

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