To live like a cormorant

A snippet of seaside conversation:

When I retire, I'd like to live like a cormorant--dive into the water to grab a fish, then perch on a pole, spread my wings to dry, and stare at the water for hours on end.

But why not a pelican? They sit on poles too.

Pelicans are beggars. Cormorants don't beg.

But...they're ugly.

Ugly? Nah. Cormorants are dignified. Besides, who cares what you look like if you can sit on a pole and watch the water all day?