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At the top is John James Audubon's 1831 depiction of a Florida cormorant, and below it is a photo I took last week, just down the street.
In my last posting, I showed views of my back yard. In this view from my roof, one can see the estuary, and beyond it Little Bayou, which leads into Tampa Bay. Since this photograph was taken, mangroves have been planted along the estuary, and they've grown to almost block my ground level view of the water. While that's a disappointment, mangroves are vital to the food chain of marine life, thus insuring that birds like the cormorant will stick around.
And so if I want to watch the cormorants, I walk about 1½ blocks to this seawall and have a seat.
Cormorants are interesting to watch. They will swim in the water to catch fish, but unlike other seabirds, their feathers don't repel water in the same way, and they will become water-logged.
After a dip or plunge in the water, cormorants need to dry off, and therefore spend much of their daytime roosting between meals. That's why the fellow in the photo below is spreading his wings.
In Asia, cormorants are used to help fishermen catch their haul, and for an extraordinarily beautiful image of that, I direct you to a National Geographic page,
here.
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How wonderful to be so close to the water, and to observe the cormorants. It is extraordinary how the birds have been trained, in Japan & China particularly to catch fish for humans. I was watching a programme about a Japanese family who have been fulfilling this role in the service of the emperor for centuries. And they continue to do it, despite the fact that the service is "obsolete", but now as a tourist attraction, which looks rather pretty at night with the fire torches burning.
ReplyDeleteHow strange it must be to make one's living carrying on a service that is obsolete. I suppose it is not too different from the people who live in Williamsburg, Virginia, always wearing 18th century clothing. There is a great art in that town of disguising and hiding modern conveniences.
DeleteHello Mark, I enjoyed learning about cormorants. It is interesting that while not adapted to water living, they are very successful at it, a good example of compensating for deficiencies.
ReplyDeleteI checked the internet, and there are cormorants in Taiwan, so the next time I am up by the coast, I'll be on the lookout for them.
--Road to Parnassus
Hello, Jim,
DeleteI look at the cormorant and wonder why it has been shortchanged in its evolution. Unless, of course, there is something in its need to constantly dry off that works in its favor. I must be missing something, and I guess that's part of the reason the bird intrigues me so!
http://www.heritage-editions.com.au/p-2225-john-gould-cormorant-phalacrocorax-salcirostris-australian-bird-print.aspx
ReplyDeleteI send you an Australian cormorant from Gould's Australian Birds published 1840-1848.
Its always great to see wildlife flourishing and replanting mangroves is an important step.Audobon obviously thought so as they are in his illustration. I like the way the cormorant is shown with that out stretched neck , so the greenish festhers on its chest are visible
Thanks for sending along that image of Gould's cormorant, smr. I understand that there are many different cormorants around the world, but the Australian one looks pretty close to the ones in my neighborhood. It's interesting that Gould was a contemporary of Audubon.
DeleteI can report to you that I have seen an increase in wildlife since the mangroves were planted. I've seen a dolphin while looking out my window (before the mangroves got too high), and many more seabirds. Interestingly, the mangroves have also attracted a coyote, which makes late-night appearances in my front yard. I did a posting on him a year ago, and he's still around.
Yes they were contempories , Gould's wife Elizabeth also an illustrator, was taught by Edward Lear
DeleteOh forgot to ask about the greyhound button, where, how old etc etc. Its really beautiful
ReplyDeleteHi again, smr. I'm glad you like the greyhound button. I bought it in New York City at an amazing little store called Tender Buttons. I'm guessing that it dates to the early 20th century, and that it was part of a riding jacket, perhaps associated with one particular club. It's not easy to make out, but the element top center is a riding cap.
DeleteDear Mark, I envy you in that you have those amazing views to admire every day. Even if the mangrove will totaly obstruct your view from your windows you will always be able to enjoy them just by walking around your house. And, as you have mentioned, the mangrove has a way of attracting more wildlife.
ReplyDeleteMaybe a trade off that is quite acceptable.
ox, Gina
Dear Gina, I've lived in Florida now for more than 30 years, and I still pinch myself looking at all the Royal Palms! But I know that you also have an incredible view, looking out on those spectacular mountains...
DeleteHi Mark,
ReplyDeleteLove it! True luxury.
Anyes
xx
Hi, Anyes,
DeleteI never tire of watching the cormorants, and their odd predicament.