I've been hoping for a rookery of some nesting birds. This is after all my first Spring doing this, so I'm still getting my feet wet so to speak.... well I knew that the Double-crested Cormorants had nests built at Sepulveda Basin so I thought I'd give it a shot & I'm in luck.....

Yes, the Double-crested Cormorants are breeding & nesting right now. So, since they only show off their Double-crests while breeding - - these shots are mostly chosen as it shows off the amazing Double-crests. I need to go early in the morning to get the light in the right spot & me in the right position. I have to admit that even with the 300-800mm Sigmonster these are about 50% crops. The birds are on an island in the middle of the "lake" of the basin.

I'm presuming the bird standing up is the male as the female is on her eggs (I presume) in the nest. She's the dark form on the left side. The male was actively collecting sticks, twigs etc as building materials - - but more on that as the shots continue...

Anyhow, I love how in this shot he makes such a striking picture soaring away in the high wind we had that day - - off to get building material for the nest.