a swinging cormorant

Fairly strong breeze out of the northeast this morning. There were three Double-crested Cormorants on the dock just past the outflow from our pond. Two of them were solidly perched on adjacent stanchions but the third was on the line or rope between the stanchions. This was a tricky spot to hang out at best and, with the wind blowing the rope up and back, the cormorant had to balance itself and keep from falling by flapping its wings and tail non-stop. This looked ludicrous, especially since there were plenty of other posts on which he/she could have perched (not to mention the dock itself). Was it so important to hang out (literally) between two colleagues? Maybe this was just an exceptionally good way to dry off the wings (oddly enough, cormorants don't have any way of waterproofing their plumage which is why you often see them hanging out their wings to dry). Or maybe, this swinging, flapping balancing act was simply a lot of fun! After about 15 minutes, our cormorant trapeze artist took off, taking one of the other birds with him.

Fall floral displays are coming in. The Seaside Goldenrod is starting to bloom; it's going to make a great display this year. Clematis is also blooming with its striking profusion of bright white four-petaled flowers on a spreading vine. In sharp contrast to these spectacular plants is a small mystery vine with greenish flowers, winged fruits and red stems. I've spent a lot of time trying to figure this one out but I think the correct answer is Climbing False Buckwheat or perhaps a close relative. Groundsel, a widespread shrub on or near the marsh edge, is about to bloom as well.

There are still a few butterflies around -- I saw a Coral Hairstreak this morning as it briefly lit (lighted?) on one of the marsh edge plants. Alas, not one Monarchs since the single individual I saw a little while ago. The Monarch crash is real and troubling.

Eric Salzman