The eye of the shag

[NorthernFocus]

I've been trying to get close enough for a head shot of a shag/cormorant. But all of them in this area are rather skittish. A couple of days ago we had some excellent light and I was passing by there normal hangout so decided to try a shot or two. Still a far cry from a head shot but enough pixels for a crop to demonstrate the eye color for anyone who hasn't seen it before. For such an ugly bird they have some of the most beautiful eyes. Also note the scaly/peeling beak.

Nikon D500, 200-500mmE at 500mm
1/1000s, f5.6, ISO200, handheld

1)


2) A crop of the head only.

[bje07]

Nice pictures, good detail in feathers

[Wavelength]

Beautiful blue eyes ; lovely bird; nice capture

[billtils]

... handheld

Lovely eyes indeed, and you must have very steady hands Dan. Impressed all round

[John 2]

I've said it before, you learn something every day on here. I never knew that Shags had beautiful green eyes. Nice capture.

[bnnrcn]

Very sharp, clear and beautiful

[madcrow]

Very impressive and handheld even more so. Clarity, detail, and sharpness outstanding. Beautiful eyes.

[NorthernFocus]

Thanks for looking and commenting, everyone.

[Shadowman]

Nice ones.

[Craigie]

Two really nice shots.
Everyday is a school day. I never new they were called Shags.

[NorthernFocus]

...I never new they were called Shags.

I also learned that one here. Since they call them the same down under I assumed it to be a Commonwealth term. Like most things of similar origin we've dumped the term and call them cormorants. Not sure how they refer to them north of the border. Fishermen and hunters have various slurs that they apply to them.

[John 2]

Dan, I have always thought that Shags and Cormorants were different birds. This is what the RSPB say about them.

Shags are goose-sized dark long-necked birds similar to cormorants but smaller and generally slimmer with a characteristic steep forehead. In the breeding season adults develop a dark glossy green plumage and prominent recurved crest on the front of their head. In the UK they breed on coastal sites, mainly in the north and west, and over half their population is found at fewer than 10 sites, making them an Red List species. Shags usually stay within 100-200km of their breeding grounds.

Apart from a difference in the colour of the beak, I haven't a clue how to tell the difference.

[NorthernFocus]

Dan, I have always thought that Shags and Cormorants were different birds....

From what I can tell the difference is linguistic. New Zealand Birds On-line lists 13 species of shag with never a mention of cormorants. Cornell Lab of Ornithology list five different species of cormorant with never a mention of shags. Aside from size and color they all look awfully similar. You be the judge.

In the meantime, to help avoid returning the nations to any armed conflict, I'll resort to the colloquial terminology of my youth and refer to them as fish geese(and to mergansers as fish ducks)

[Mutley]

Nice set