Riddle me this

[bunn]

Is it a cormorant or shag, a-searching for a paper bag?
Is it a large mis-shapen duck?
(I did not hear it quack, or cluck)

Or is it something strange and new 
to stop the visitors getting bored
placed there in secret, by canoe
to lure the twitchers in their hordes? 

It's a pity that I was carrying the Nex 3 camera when I saw this rather than my old compact superzoom: the 18-55mm lens has not done a bad job, but can't really get all that close.

I have been looking at zoom lenses. Ideally I'd like the E mount 18-200mm, but I really can't justify £630 on a lens, so I'm thinking I might see if I can get a second hand older manual focus lens and an adaptor - the NEX3 can connect to pretty much any manufacturers lens as long as it doesnt' have to autofocus, so that might be interesting (and cheap) to try for this sort of thing.

Comments

[adaese.livejournal.com]

Probably a juvenile cormorant - they have variable plumage, but are lighter than the adults. Did you have a look at its belly at all, or did it consistently have its back to you? It should have a light belly.

More likely a cormorant than shag if inland. But both have light patches when young, and I can't get a sense of scale from your photos. Not that I can ever get a good sense of size when looking at something the size of a common cormorant or shag.

[bunn.livejournal.com]

It sat there utterly motionless, as if stuffed, so no sight of belly. (Thus the 'stuck up there by a man in a canoe' theory. :D )

I thought it looked too small for a cormorant but if it is a youngster that would make sense. I've definitely seen cormorants on the Tamar upstream of this (Cotehele quay - 'inland' in the sense that it is about 8-ish miles upriver from the sea, but still tidal).

[wellinghall.livejournal.com]

Nothing to do with cormorants, but have you seen this?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2011/feb/28/dogs-listen-to-children-reading

[bunn.livejournal.com]

Not that particular dog, but greyhounds as reading dogs for kids seem to be quite common, I've definitely seen similar stories. Don't think I know anyone who actually does it with their hound, though I was vaguely thinking of taking Mollydog through the tests to become a a Pets as Therapy dog before I got Az.

(Unfortunately Az would be appallingly stressed by anything like that and isn't good at being left alone either, so Mollydog is just his 'therapy dog' now!)

Greyhounds are often great at that sort of thing as they are usually so laid back and unscary : we've met quite a few small children who were scared of dogs and they have (under parental supervision) had a go at petting Mollydog and decided she is quite safe and not scary at all.