So here's the thing: if you were about to take off on a long flight, with no guarantee of adequate food, possible poor weather, high probability of structural, in-transit damage, and questionable living conditions upon arriving at your destination, wouldn't you gather with a few close friends on a float in Townsend Gut before setting out? 

Cormorants and many other flying items face incredibly demanding challenges on their trips away from Maine this time of year. The Monarch butterfly comes to mind. How that little paper thin delicate airfoil does what it does is unbelievable.

When I first arrived here on the coast, Shags, as they were often referred to (and may still be), were under siege. Regrettable island nesting often caused considerable loss of foliage and difficult aroma. Fishermen weren't very happy with them either, as I recall, because they were pretty good fishermen and fisherwomen, too. This often led to turf conflict on the water which did not bode well for “Shag” populations.

I have always liked the way the cormorants hang out on floating things and pilings with their wings up, drying in the breeze. But I'm glad they don't nest in our hemlocks.