RSMAS

This is a very nostalgic view for me because I spent many a days, weeks, months, years enjoying this view when I was at the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science (RSMAS) when two hour lunch looking at this view was the norm. This is adjacent to the Miami Seaquarium. This body of water is called the "Bear Cut" and the bridge over it is the last segment of the Rickenbacker Causeway that becomes Crandon Boulevard (SR 913) at the Crandon Park Marina to the right where you can buy still jumping fresh fish from chartered boats returning from fishing in the Gulf Stream. The bird you see is the double-crested cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) which is the most numerous and widespread North American cormorant. This bird is a fierce competitor for fishermen because it mainly eats fish and hunts by swimming and diving. Its feathers, like those of all cormorants, are not waterproof and it must spend time drying them out after spending time in the water. I think this one is still wet from its latest dive for a meal.