Camera Critters - Double-Crested Cormorants

Double-crested cormorants are widely distributed across the United States and their population is growing thanks in large part to the discontinued use of DDT. This particular colony was nesting at the duck pond at the Denver Zoo. I counted 14 nests in just the top of this tree. The island in the middle of the pond had about six trees like this, the branches filled with the nesting birds. I have never seen so many birds in one place!

cormorant rookery


This cormorant just delivered some nesting material to his mate and flew off to get more.

cormorant


Across the water, a small group of black-crowned night herons was roosting in the trees. I wondered if they got displaced by the nesting cormorants. There weren't any keepers around to ask.

black-crowned night heron


Check out the other submissions this week at Misty Dawn's meme Camera Critters.

Comments

Indrani said…
Many nests up there!
The second shot of the cormorant is superb!
Oskar said…
That looks sort of intimidating. They could gang up on you if they wanted to!
Snap said…
Wow! I bet the cormorants got first pick of nesting areas! Thanks for the great photos.
Misty DawnS said…
Oh my gosh - this is AWESOME, my friend! I've never seen these birds in real life before... now I wanna go to the zoo!
Minie said…
wow they have lots of love nests so beautiful. great captured.
Dianne said…
all those nests is a wondrous sight!!
Janie said…
How interesting that so many cormorants will nest in one tree. Great bird shots.
Adrienne: Love your nesting photo and the heron is really nice.
Manz said…
I'm always amazed at how clever birds can be at building their nest...

The top image is incredible!!

*****
On another note, I've set up a "directory" page on the main gritfx website for my cc posts. I'd like to add some links to other cc participants - yourself included. If you're interested in being added, send me a website/blog badge (120pixels wide x 80pixels) to manz76@live.com.
Manz's Camera Critters Page
Unknown said…
Very interesting! Thanks for sharing this today! I always feel a little more nature lover-ish when I come over : ).
Unknown said…
WOW !!! Look at all those nests!! That is really amazing...

Urban overcrowding in the bird world !

Great photos..
Martha said…
Wonderful shots! Have a wonderful Sunday :-)
Adrienne: If you hit my Great Blue Heron link I have posted my visit to CVNP to the roosting area.
Anonymous said…
Great photos!! The one flying is especially amazing. It's funny...we both posted cormorants for cc this week :)
Barb said…
I tried to think of a comment that hasn't already bee said and couldn't think of one. I guess that's what a cool post this is. :)
Mimi said…
Lots of nest. Second picture of the cormorant is wonderful..
RA said…
What a privilege to be at the perfect time and place to take this great shots! Have a nice week, Adrienne :)
magiceye said…
lovely set of images
EG CameraGirl said…
I doubt that I've ever seen so many nests in one tree! Thanks for taking and sharing this photo.
I absolutely love the first photo with all the nests. So pretty!
Tulip said…
awesome love nests. wow that's beautiful picture.

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