Everyone's favourite prehistoric bird.

I agree, they are a little prehistoric looking and they make for great photos as you've shown here.     The nearest bird I have seen (in Australia) which is close to prehistoric is the Cassowary but I've never tried to stand too close to one to photograph it   lol   they have a deadly karate kick so I believe !

Super images Clare. I have to agree they certainly show the link between birds and dinosaurs.

I think the same Clare & your captures are a fabulous representation of this fact .... superb detail & colour, thanks for sharing your study in Cormorants!

I love the feather formation and didn't know they had yellow running down from the eye.   Great pics Clare of a common bird but there you go there is always something to learn.

I'm curious - I can see where you're coming from, but is it just that their feathers look like scales with that colouration or is it something else that makes you think of dinosaurs? Cassowaries (and ostriches) are often associated with dinosaurs because of their reptilian-like feet (possibly amongst other things).

Hi-

up here we refer to them as Pterodactyls

S

Can't resist putting up my picture of a Cassowary taken last year (ok at Chester Zoo, not New Zealand boo hoo)   Just look at those feet :-)

Unknown said:

is it just that their feathers look like scales with that colouration or is it something else that makes you think of dinosaurs?

Partly.  It's also the noises they make, as well as their strange poses and the way their wings waggle in flight!  There's something about them - I've always liked these birds.

seymouraves said:

up here we refer to them as Pterodactyls

But, like all birds, they taxonomically are dinosaurs, and aren't pterodactyls!

;o)

Well this IS Norfolk

:)