Manly Birds

Katrina and I went snorkeling this afternoon down at the end of the street. As we were swimming over some shallow rocks we spotted a cormorant-like bird (black body, white features on its long narrow head, yellow beak, and what seemed like webbed feet) underwater nuzzling its way through the weeds feeding. It would pop up to the surface, take a quick breath, look around a moment, then dive down again. The lighting was amazing, streaming through the plants as the waves washed past them and the bird was only two or three meters away. I wish I’d had a submersible camera. Not every day you meet a bird underwater.

Then as we were walking home we saw a Ferry Penguin darting around the swimming area in front of Manly Surf Life Saving Club. It was obviously having a good time feeding, but as it came towards shore it suddenly zipped up under a wave and then surfed the wave in. It’s not like I’m an expert on penguins or anything, but wow. Everyone all around stopped and watched this penguin darting in and out around the rocks, buzzing the dudes on surfboards, and then catching a wave in towards the beach again. At that point I wished I’d had any camera with me.

Gotta love living at the beach.

AfC

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