Orby Head is in the National Park on the north shore of Prince Edward Island. From the sandstone cliffs overlooking the Gulf of St Lawrence, one can see east and west along the north coast.
The view of the cliffs at Orby Head is one of my favourites on the island.
The sandstone cliffs erode at an alarming rate. We notice a difference each spring after the winter storms and the freeze and thaw cycles which were common this past year.
For my husband and I, the added attraction of Orby Head is the colony of Double-crested cormorants which nest in the cliffs and hang out on the Head. They fish just off shore as the lobster boats pass nearby.
This bird looks like a pre-historic creature, not pretty like shorebirds and song birds. Yet, there is something beautiful about these strange looking birds. They have blue eyes and long beaks. Behind the beaks, a bright orange colour makes them easily identifiable.
The black feathers on their backs and wings are each distinguishable. The fine feathers of the belly, neck and head are streamlined and perfect for diving and swimming.
Double crests are the feathers above the eyes which are only there in mating season. The best photo I have of these crests was taken of a bird at another location.
Their wings aren’t water proof and cormorants spread them when they land after a swim. It was a lovely day for drying wings as you can see.
The colony at Orby Head has its nests on ledges in the cliffs.
They like to hang out together on a ledge over the rocks.
The birds make a croaking sound which is not a traditional bird call but we enjoy watching them any chance we get.