The swift terns are back and in teeming numbers.
The coastal path along this stretch of the Atlantic Ocean is a birders paradise; here we get a close-up look at the Cape cormorants and their nifty take-offs.
Nature on the Edge
Wildlife photography along the urban edge
Nature on the Edge 
What an exciting place to be for observing and photographing bird life. Terrific action shots.
Yes, we’re lucky to have a coastline with it’s diversity in birds and wild life.
Impressive nature in these two!
Thanks Bente – yes we’re lucky to have the numbers – still enough fish to sustain them.
Awesome!
Thanks Ruth .. good word that.
Very fine pictures!
Thank you very much 🙂
that first photo is AMAZING! my eyes needed a few moments to adjust – i wasn’t sure what i was seeing and then – wow!
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It truly is quite a sight, and there’s a sense of awe. I think of them in ‘gaggles’ the noise is fabulously garrulous. Sometimes we have the Arctic terns stopping on their way down south. That’s something special, one can only salute such a bird for their long distance travels.
The abundance is amazing, yesterday I watched just two cormorants on the estuary, lovely but no comparison!
Yes, it’s exciting to see these big flocks. We have five different species of cormorants here. It’s interesting to know how their numbers fare in other countries. Wonder why so few?
There are a fair few, but the most I’ve seen at anytime would be around 12, maybe it’s about fish stock.
These huge bird colonies have always fascinated me…how they move and fly without constantly colliding….how they all seem to find food for themselves and their young….that first shot is so full of action and excitement, I can feel the air vibrating with the movement and sound.
Yes, there’s a dynamic process within the flocks, in their sheer numbers. Wish i could have recorded a sound-bite – quite exuberant. Thanks for your comments 🙂
Thanks for commenting 🙂 There’s for sure a tangible energy – that group dynamic is amazing. And completely fascinating how they find their chicks on return from the feeding forays.
Love that first shot Liz – Happy New Year to you!
Thank you Tina. Best wishes to you too!
Wow! Brilliant photographs, Liz. The first one is incredible. Hope your 2014 is full of beautiful photography moments like these! Happy New Year, Liz!
Thank you Uday, i’ve really appreciated your insightful comments through the year. I hope for you too, that 2014 is full of promise…. best of wishes.
Super!
Thanks Alois!