Name of those black birds that dive into the water

[mikemill]

Got startled by a couple yesterday, so am trying to figure out the name of the bird so I can curse it properly I'm swimming along and I feel something pressing upwards on my thigh and went I look down there is this big mass of black swimming under me. After it swims off another one decided to buzz me. Decided that I should probably leave that area. On my way out I found a dead on in the water.

 

[SteveAD]

Probably a cormorant

 

[Chuck Tribolet]

A cormorant. Funny, I saw one yesterday at 80' at Ball-Buster.

 

[TSandM]

Yes, almost certainly a cormorant. It's a bizarre feeling, to be diving along and sudden see . . . a BIRD! I'm astonished at their diving ability; I have seen them at 40 feet, but I have friends who have seen them much deeper. It's a hard life, trying to catch fish by diving, I think.

 

[fobturbo]

And then there are those that take it to another level:

Helicopter fishing

At least he did a catch & release.

Yes, almost certainly a cormorant. It's a bizarre feeling, to be diving along and sudden see . . . a BIRD! I'm astonished at their diving ability; I have seen them at 40 feet, but I have friends who have seen them much deeper. It's a hard life, trying to catch fish by diving, I think.

 

[eric gundrum]

And then there are those that take it to another level:

Helicopter fishing

At least he did a catch & release.

:dropmouth: That is insane.

 

[eric gundrum]

Got startled by a couple yesterday, so am trying to figure out the name of the bird so I can curse it properly I'm swimming along and I feel something pressing upwards on my thigh and went I look down there is this big mass of black swimming under me. After it swims off another one decided to buzz me. Decided that I should probably leave that area. On my way out I found a dead on in the water.

fobturbo and I were at Breakwater yesterday. At about 48 FSW just beyond the kelp there was one area where we had several cormorants fishing the bottom beneath us. We didn't have as close an encounter as you describe. I always get a kick out of seeing birds that deep.

We also had a few visits from the seals while we were there.

Interestingly, we didn't have any such encounters during our second dive. It was about the same depth, but closer to the wall. Maybe the creatures were taking an afternoon siesta.

 

[mikemill]

Thanks all.

 

[Ben_ca]

Bob... his buddy was Bill

 

[kathydee]

And then there are those that take it to another level:

Helicopter fishing

At least he did a catch & release.

Amazing!!!