CLOSED: What kind of ducks are these?

Went out to Cooper's Creek Park again and saw these ducks out aways. I was struck by how low they float. Anyone know what they are?

Here's a blow-up of a few.

Hack

Let me try that blow-up again.

Hack

cool, it's like body-less birds coming at you! floating necks...

lol I don't know, maybe blowing up birds isn't really a good idea...

I could be wrong but they look like Cormorants.

Look like juvie cormorants to me, too. Don't know why they are riding so low in the water.

Double-crested Cormorants

Resin

The reason for swimming so low is to soak their feathers fully, which makes them able to dive better and swim underwater faster.

Resin

Thanks everyone, even the wise-crackers. This is a new bird for me. Maybe I can be there when they are closer to shore.

hack

Here's one more close-up.

Hack

We have lots of cormorants in our local lake and have always wondered why they ride so low in the water. Thanks for the information Resin, that makes sense. They spend a lot of time diving. Laverne

Ignore all my attempts at "close-ups" - just click on the photo and then use your Ctrl key and + key simultaneously and it will come right to you, so to speak.

Don't forget to use Ctrl and - keys to return it to its regular size.

That's a trick I just learned.

Hack

And Burd said you can also use the Ctrl key with the mouse button/wheel.

Hack

Hmmm, they're generally just down here in the winter. I always wondered if they were warmer keeping their back under water, rather than having all that surface area up in the breeze.