Description:
Cormorant fishing is a traditional fishing method that was developed in China and Japan 1300 years ago. The fishermen float bamboo rafts along the river using long wooden paddles, taking several trained cormorants with them. Before releasing the birds to do their fishing, they tie a thin rope around their necks, at the base of the throat, so they cannot swallow the fish they catch. The Li river runs through the Guangxi region, through the tall, karst mountains, along 80 kilometers, from Guilin to Yangshuo. The most common cormorant in china is the great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo), also called the black shag. The cormorant is such a successful fisher because, unlike other birds, they have no oil glands under their feathers. Thus, their feathers are water-penetrable, and water bubbles can't accumulate therein - a trait which helps them dive and swim fast. Today, cormorant fishing takes place in very few places in China. In some of these places, the fishing is actually for subsistence and livelihood, but in more and more places, serves as a demonstration, encouraging tourism and preserving the ancient culture.
PRINTED CANVAS:
This photo was taken in a high iso and therefore it has a painting effect.
