How beautiful is the jewel tone eye of this bird?

I found this Double-crested Cormorant perched on the stilt roots of red mangrove, fluffing up and spreading its wings to dry wet feathers.

I was walking along the boardwalk through the swamp at Indian Riverside Park, mostly looking up into the trees for migrating warblers, but occasionally looking down for otters and turtles.

I didn’t expect to find a cormorant here – they are usually actively fishing in a nearby large pond, or resting on a log or branch by the edge of the pond.

But I like that about birdwatching – you go out looking for one thing, with your plans and expectations, and you find something else nice that you weren’t even looking for.

Always be on the lookout for the presence of wonder. – E.B. White