“The Cormorant’s Quick Bite: Photographing at Charleston Lake, Arkansas”
I recently had the opportunity to visit Charleston Lake in Charleston, Arkansas with the purpose of capturing bird photographs. Early in the morning, a flock of Double-crested Cormorants descended upon the lake and started hunting for shad near the dam. Despite the birds’ tendency to swallow their catch immediately upon surfacing, I managed to snap a few successful shots. These birds, however, have a tendency to leave the area shortly after eating, for reasons unknown, and fly in a northerly direction. It’s possible that they are heading towards the Arkansas River, which is located just a few miles north of the lake. I positioned myself near the lake’s edge and used my pickup truck as a makeshift blind. I supported my camera and lens with a bean bag on the open window for stability during photography.

Double-crested Cormorant’s Quick Bite

Double-crested Cormorant’s Catch
Gear Used:
- Camera: Canon EOS R7
- Lens: Canon RF 800 mm F11 IS STM
Technical:
- Location: Charleston City Lake (Arkansas)
- Date and Time Taken: February 12, 2023 (09:59 A. M.)
- Exposure Mode: Manual
- Aperture: f11 (Fixed)
- Shutter speed: 1/2500
- ISO: 1600 (Auto)
- Focal Length: 800 mm (Fixed)
Here are a few more photos I have taken over the years of the Double-crested Cormorant catching Shad: Double-crested Cormorant Came Up With Shad and Double-crested Cormorant With A Shad