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Friday, January 3, 2014

Hungry cormorant babies

At Wakodahatchee Wetlands in Delray Beach, Florida, these two Double-crested Cormorant chicks beg incessantly for their parent to feed them. Adult males and female are indistinguishable, but I'll assume this is the mom.

 Double-crested Cormorant feeding chicks 01-20131210

 Instinctively, they peck at her yellow gular pouch to stimulate her to regurgitate.

 Double-crested Cormorant feeding chicks 03-20131210

 One chick thrusts its beak into her mouth.

 Double-crested Cormorant feeding chicks 04-20131210

 It reaches into her throat...

 Double-crested Cormorant feeding chicks 06-20131210

 ...deeper and deeper!

 Double-crested Cormorant feeding chicks 07-20131210

 Its head is disappearing!

 Double-crested Cormorant feeding chicks 05-20131210

 The second chick takes its turn.

 Double-crested Cormorant feeding chicks 02-20131210

 The outlines of the youngster's sharp upper and lower mandibles are visible halfway down the mother's throat.

 Double-crested Cormorant feeding chicks 08-20131210


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12 comments:

  1. TexWisGirlJanuary 3, 2014 at 10:25 AM

    that has GOT to be uncomfortable for her! i love their feather detail.

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  2. AnonymousJanuary 3, 2014 at 11:39 AM

    Awesome captures, Ken. We haven't been to WW this winter.

    ReplyDelete
  3. eileeninmdJanuary 3, 2014 at 12:24 PM

    Awesome sight to see! Cool series..Have a happy weekend!

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  4. Gail DixonJanuary 3, 2014 at 12:54 PM

    These are absolutely incredible shots!! Amazing to see nature in action like this. Thank you, thank you!! What a mother won't do for her youngsters...

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anni January 4, 2014 at 4:27 PM

    Oh my gosh, these images are like their right straight from the Audubon Paintings!!! Superior!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. sunshineJanuary 4, 2014 at 5:09 PM

    Spectacular photos, really a great series.

    ReplyDelete
  7. EG CameraGirlJanuary 4, 2014 at 6:14 PM

    Wow! Great photos!

    ReplyDelete
  8. UnknownJanuary 5, 2014 at 4:28 AM

    Fantastic photos of these beautiful birds!

    ReplyDelete
  9. HansHBJanuary 5, 2014 at 9:19 AM

    Awesome serie!

    ReplyDelete
  10. KarenJanuary 5, 2014 at 3:25 PM

    Fantastic detail here Ken. Poor mom, that can't be fun.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Sallie (FullTime-Life)January 5, 2014 at 9:09 PM

    Amazing series...isn't nature wonderful. I would think it would be painful for the mother corm. but apparently it works.

    ReplyDelete
  12. PatJanuary 7, 2014 at 11:57 AM

    Amazing shots of the parent feeding the chicks! Beautiful photography.

    ReplyDelete

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