While going through photos from around this time last year, this adult Double-crested Cormorant photo, taken during a spring snowstorm, stood out to me. There are a couple of reasons why this photo made me think.
Adult Double-crested Cormorant in a spring snowstorm – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 800, +1.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
This image, taken in early April of last year, made me think of how different the last two winters have been.
Last year, we were still getting heavy snowstorms in April. I was still busting my butt blowing, scraping, and shoveling snow. By this time last year, I was extremely snow-weary.
After blowing, scraping, and shoveling snow, I went down to my local pond while the white stuff was still falling and took images of the birds in the snowstorm. I didn’t sit at home whinging and complaining about the snow.
Nope, I grabbed my gear and went out in it despite the gloom, gray skies, and falling snow. I wouldn’t have this cormorant image if I hadn’t done exactly what I did.
And the reason I like this Double-crested Cormorant photo so much?
Well, that is because it shows what these birds deal with, how they survive and thrive despite the changing seasons.
Also, taking photos in these kind of conditions? They are challenging and test my skills.
This past winter?
Down here in the valley, there wasn’t a single snowstorm big enough to cause me to fire up the snowblower. Not even one. I didn’t need to shovel a single time. It was so warm the snow simply melted with a little time. Yes, I had to scrape snow off of my Jeep several times, but even that wasn’t as hard to do as it was the winter before. It is much easier to scrape 3 to 4 inches of snow off of a vehicle than 15 to 18 inches.
The winter of 2022-2023 was a fluke. I believe that people in Utah better be prepared for more winters like the one we just had in 2023-2024. Climate change isn’t a hoax.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Double-crested Cormorant photos plus facts and information about this species.
Mia, isn’t that a white “crest” on this cormorant? I think they are rare, maybe 10% of birds?
Sue, we do get a few Double-crested Cormorants with some white feathers in their crests here. Most of the time the crests in this species here are mostly black.
How I wish that climate change WAS a hoax. And I love that you find solace and respite (albeit with a lot of worry) in the natural world.
Thanks EC. Yes, I still worry when I am in the field about the changes I see.