Cormorants

It is the time of year when we Victorians really have to admit that the last of the sunny weather has finally gone to the other side of the world and that chilly conditions will be with us for the next few months. The hardiest or most optimistic have eked out every ray of outdoor weather and perhaps left the run a bit late.
Most sensible sailors have moved their boats to safer refuge for the wild winter weather and to undertake the annual maintenance defouling and repairs needed but not all.
One sailor I know is so in love with seeing his pretty little boat bobbing around that he can't bear to make that pilgrimage until the very last minute.

The trouble is these guys.

credit

http://www.ozanimals.com/Bird/Black-faced-Cormorant/Phalacrocorax/fuscescens.html

As you can see they can make quite a lot of mess and if one's boat is the last lonely little one left these black faced cormorants have nowhere else to roost to dry their wings after diving for fish all day. They disgorge the contents of their guts as a form of jet propulsion when scared off by angry boaties. Sweet revenge.
So the annual boat migration has been completed today while I have been safely ensconced in warm leisure world of baking, reading and drawing.
And just so he can remember why he should move aforesaid boat earlier I have made him a little reminder.

credit; Screaming Pixels

So now for the next few months the shore recovers from stampeding feet and it's just water and serenity.