When it’s almost lunch time in Amalfi in the winter, the streets go quiet as the locals start to climb the steps that will take them back home. There aren’t many tourists around this time of year to keep the pizzerias and quick food spots busy during lunch. Yet, there’s always something to watch in Amalfi.

Today I spotted two cormorants who had just taken a dip in the chilly water. They were preening and shaking the dampness off their feathers, likely wishing the sun would come out to warm them up just a bit.

I’ve only seen cormorants (cormorano in Italian) in Amalfi a few times before, and I’ve never been able to get a photo of them. The way they dive under the water to hunt is fascinating, and I used to love watching them fish on the Mississippi River and when I was young in Florida.

The seagulls also seemed satiated, and were lining up for an afternoon nap. I didn’t have time to do more birdwatching, because it was time for me to head home and make lunch, too!