Great Cormorant Dry-off

Soumil Rathi's Image

While on a boat trip with his family, Soumil spotted this white-breasted cormorant perched on a wooden post with its large wings spread wide. Steadying himself against the movement of the boat, Soumil framed his shot to capture the cormorant’s regal pose and the beauty of the scale-like effect created by the broad edges of its upper wing feathers.

This expert diver can plunge up to 10 meters deep to reach its catch of fish. To avoid getting too wet and cold, these graceful waterbirds make themselves water-repellent by secreting oil from a gland onto their feathers. Back on land, white-breasted cormorants dry their feathers by facing the wind or sun with outstretched wings.


Behind the lens

Soumil Rathi

Soumil Rathi

India

Soumil kindled a passion for photography at a young age, and has since worked his way up to using a DSLR camera. His other hobbies include art, chess and badminton. He is also an avid reader.

Image details

  • Canon EOS 700D
  • 250mm f4–5.6 lens
  • 1/320 sec at f7.1  •   ISO 100
  • Crescent Island, Lake Naivasha, Kenya
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