I took these pictures on a chilly, overcast day, as two pelicans were swimming between the bands of shadow cast by the walls of a canal. I like their serenity in the midst of "troubled" waters.
Showing posts with label Pelicans. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pelicans. Show all posts
May 21, 2015
Pelican Serenity
I took these pictures on a chilly, overcast day, as two pelicans were swimming between the bands of shadow cast by the walls of a canal. I like their serenity in the midst of "troubled" waters.
May 10, 2014
Pterodactylish
Pelicans in the air are a totally different bird than pelicans floating placidly on the water. In flight, you see the black underside of their wings, which are normally wrapped sedately about them when not in flight.
They are massive birds, and you get a real sense of their size when they fly by with their 9 foot wingspan. And then there is something prehistoric in their shape and motion. On the water, they look almost like swans. In the air, they look like pterodactyls!
They are massive birds, and you get a real sense of their size when they fly by with their 9 foot wingspan. And then there is something prehistoric in their shape and motion. On the water, they look almost like swans. In the air, they look like pterodactyls!
March 27, 2014
Big Gulp!
I had fun photographing pelicans the other day. This one was trying to swallow a fish:
You can see the fish clearly in the first picture, above.
In the next picture, you can see the fish's tail fins sticking out of the pelican's bill. The rest of the fish can be seen in silhouette through the opaque bill. (Notice the refraction!)
The pelican began tipping its head back in an effort to swallow it. Look at the amazing detail of the blood vessels in the bill!
As he tips his head back a little further, you can still see the fish silhouetted in the bottom of the pelican's bill. You can even see the fish's tail fins!
I wonder how the pelicans avoid having the flexible material of their bills torn by the sharp fins of the fish they eat?
The pelican tried to get the fish headed down its gullet, but it took three or four tries of trying to throw it back down its throat before he managed it. It was quite the display.
You can see the fish clearly in the first picture, above.
In the next picture, you can see the fish's tail fins sticking out of the pelican's bill. The rest of the fish can be seen in silhouette through the opaque bill. (Notice the refraction!)
The pelican began tipping its head back in an effort to swallow it. Look at the amazing detail of the blood vessels in the bill!
As he tips his head back a little further, you can still see the fish silhouetted in the bottom of the pelican's bill. You can even see the fish's tail fins!
I wonder how the pelicans avoid having the flexible material of their bills torn by the sharp fins of the fish they eat?
The pelican tried to get the fish headed down its gullet, but it took three or four tries of trying to throw it back down its throat before he managed it. It was quite the display.
February 23, 2014
The Kindly Pelican
I had the good luck to see a pelican landing on the water yesterday, coming straight at me. I took this photo, which made me laugh later when I saw it at home on my computer.
The first thing I thought of was how the smaller waterfowl in front of the pelican do not seem at all concerned that this huge bird is landing so near them. They have not turned away from him in fright. They know they are in no danger.
The second thing I thought of was that - with his wings up like that - he looked like a clergyman giving a blessing to his little flock: "Bless you, my children...".
Note the little fellow on the left who seems to be mimicking the pelican. Too funny.
The first thing I thought of was how the smaller waterfowl in front of the pelican do not seem at all concerned that this huge bird is landing so near them. They have not turned away from him in fright. They know they are in no danger.
The second thing I thought of was that - with his wings up like that - he looked like a clergyman giving a blessing to his little flock: "Bless you, my children...".
Note the little fellow on the left who seems to be mimicking the pelican. Too funny.
July 29, 2013
Beaks & Bills - Part 3
Continuing in my series on beaks and bills, we are going to take a quick look at woodpeckers and pelicans today.
Woodpeckers obviously have specialized beaks. They are short, strong, and chisel-shaped - perfect for pecking holes in trees. They also use these tapered beaks to get into and under the tree bark in order to find insects to eat.
Yellow-bellied sapsuckers, who are in the woodpecker family, use their beaks to "drill" holes into trees until they can get to the sap running underneath. Rather than sucking up the sap, as their name erroneously implies, they lap up the sap with their tongues. (For a picture of their handiwork, go to this previous post:of mine, "Evidence of Wild Animals" and look at the last photo in the post, here: http://foundonthetrail.blogspot.com/search/label/Amphibians .)
.
Compare those little beaks to the relatively enormous beaks of pelicans. Pelican beaks have a flexible lower portion that can stretch and contract. Look at the difference in beaks between these two pelicns in this picture below:
The lower bird has its beak neatly "folded", while the upper bird has just finished dipping his beak into the water, which is how they fish. They scoop up fish and water - up to three gallons at a time. The water drains out and the fish remain.
Woodpeckers obviously have specialized beaks. They are short, strong, and chisel-shaped - perfect for pecking holes in trees. They also use these tapered beaks to get into and under the tree bark in order to find insects to eat.
.
Compare those little beaks to the relatively enormous beaks of pelicans. Pelican beaks have a flexible lower portion that can stretch and contract. Look at the difference in beaks between these two pelicns in this picture below:
The lower bird has its beak neatly "folded", while the upper bird has just finished dipping his beak into the water, which is how they fish. They scoop up fish and water - up to three gallons at a time. The water drains out and the fish remain.
April 8, 2013
Bathing Beauties
Caught up with these bathing beauties this weekend at Smith's Island. There was a whole lot of preening going on!
July 26, 2012
Juxtaposition
I am drawn to moments where wildlife and mankind intersect. Wildlife often thrives in spite of the hand of man on the landscape. That juxtaposition is what drew my attention to this pelican below, as it swept up the channel.
There is no greenery to be seen. The gigantic barge rises up behind the pelican, it's scaffolding casting a reflection onto the water - all rusty lines and angles. And then there's the pelican, placid, white, and rounded, making a contrast and drawing the eye.
There is no greenery to be seen. The gigantic barge rises up behind the pelican, it's scaffolding casting a reflection onto the water - all rusty lines and angles. And then there's the pelican, placid, white, and rounded, making a contrast and drawing the eye.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)