Cormorants using their tail feathers to feel water

I was out to photograph birds along the coast of river Mula, my favorite hangout location. It was morning time and I could find couple of little cormorants out there. I kept observing them and simultaneously setting up my camera.

I began to look through the viewfinder to observe closely and take some pictures. It was observed that, when they are about land they fly very low touching their tail to the water surface.

It appeared to me that they use their tail feathers to get the feel of water to decide the exact position to land. Hence the trail made varies; short on some occasions while long otherwise. A short trail can be seen below.

Unfortunately, lost all my images from that session.

Images shared here are of Indian Cormorant captured in a different session. Have currently observed this among Indian and little cormorant, expect great cormorant as well to do the same, but yet to document it.  A long trail can be seen below.

Little Egrets fighting for a fovorable perch

Date: 15-July-2012
Time: 7.41 a.m.
Location: River Mula, Pune

I was sitting along the coast of river Mula observing the action around. I found 2 little egrets fighting for a favorable perch. This perch would have certainly increased their chances to catch the fish.

Both of them looked almost of same age and were determined to get the perch.

The challenger chose to overpower from the above.

That gave him a distinct advantage over his counterpart.

The challenger landing on his counterpart.

A little fight back from the one below.

The fight back wasn't good enough as the challenger sent the fellow competitor crashing down on the water surface.

The perch holder accepts defeat and is trying to get back up.

The challenger moved in to occupy the perch.

The challenger winning the battle watches his counterpart move on