DATE: Saturday, November 29, 1997           TAG: 9711290237

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B1   EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA 

                                            LENGTH:   19 lines

A WILD, WATERY MORNING

L. TODD SPENCER

A few of the coastal region's plentiful waterfowl were out and about

Friday morning at Lake Mattamuskeet in Hyde County. One of the two

cormorants, above, dried its wings in the sun, then got right back

into the water. At left, a great blue heron spreads its powerful

wings and soars over the lake, perhaps in search of a fishy

breakfast. Cormorants are diving birds, sleek and streamlined for

the job. Herons have stilt-like legs and long, widespread toes,

perfect for their wading through mud and marsh. When they spot

likely prey, their long, sharp beaks help grab it.

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