SHAG TAKEOFF

Now here's the thing - I targeted the shag today to tell you this.....

just before they take-off, Shags (as they are known in NZ)
poop ( usually a big white one - dont know why ??) then they stretch their wings and after that - off they fly.

So its armed with this observational information I do my Shag watching. Its good, as I dont have to keep my camera up to my eye all the time.
You know - its gets like squinting if you have to look through the viewfinder all the time.

The other thing is - Shags are known for their strong swift flight - They also feed under the water ( catch fish) and they have been known to dive to depths of 100 of metres.
So here's the thing - they have a dilemma - they have feathers which get waterlogged feeding under water ( if they stay too long) So they have to come to the surface and needing to fly.

They're tricky as they only stay under long enough in one feeding session before becoming completely water logged - and thats whay we see them with their wings outstretched ( on rocks) - No - They're not in the spiritual pose they are drying off to enable themselves to go under for the next session. Hmmmm, interesting eh??
rgds pooba.