Pelicans have always been a "bird of interest" to me, partially because I see so infrequently (only during the spring and fall migrations) and partially due to their very interesting behaviors. I particularly admire their "synchronized flight" behavior. They seemingly communicate to each other their next move, and the entire group executes it with fine precision, akin to the Navy's Blue Angels, or the Air Force's Thunderbirds.
Here are a few of my favorite white pelican images that I've been able to capture over the past few years:
so unusual these glorious pelicans; they seem to have a 'knob' on the top of their beak???
ReplyDeleteYes, Carole, a very neat bird! The "knob" you refer to is a raised, vertical plate that the adults develop, early in the breeding season. They are later shed.
DeleteGreat stuff Jim! Tammy Karr recently posted here about her overwintering American White Pelicans in Florida. You post about them migrating through Missouri and I get to enjoy them through the summer here in Idaho. Glad we could share the birds with each other like that.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Robert, and it is wonderful how our beautiful birds "share" themselves with birders all across our great land!
DeleteI've apparently never seen an American White Pelican in flight before. No idea they had black primaries!
ReplyDeleteThe black flight feathers really make the 9-foot wing-spanned American White Pelicans quite awesome in flight!
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DeleteGreat photos, Jim, they are one of my favorites too!
ReplyDeleteLillian
Thank you, Lillian!
ReplyDeleteI remember the Brown Pelicans flying in such superb formation when I worked in the Gulf of Mexico. They used to hover in formation on the windward side of the ship in the updraft like here in this shot. They were a delight to see and yes, it did seem like they communicated between themselves, as I am sure they do. Regards, Mike at Oretani Wildlife.
ReplyDeleteGreat photographs, Jim!
ReplyDeleteThank you very much, prairiebirder!
DeleteThanks for your comment, Mike. Both the whites and browns are awesome to watch!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos. Love the ones of them in action and flight. We don't see them often in central west Florida.
ReplyDeleteThank you, dinascitywildlife.com , don't get to see them much here, either. But I really enjoy the little time I have with them!
DeleteJust gorgeous, Jim! I love the photo of the two birds with their wings outstretched - they look like synchronized swimmers :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you, CabinGirl! When they stretch out those 9-foot wings, they look real impressive very quickly!
DeleteI can see why American White pelicans are a "special interest" bird for you. Very cool birds! Outstanding series of images, Jim!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Julie! :o)
DeleteLOVE Pelicans! We have a lot of them around here in the summer months. They're fun to photograph. Nice photographs you have here.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Montanagirl!
DeleteI think they're pretty amazing as well. Wonderful captures. I never see them with that shield on their bills so that's exciting to see! Beautiful shots!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Rohrerbot. They're certainly different with the shields.
Delete¡Preciosas fotos!
ReplyDeleteGracias, Enrique!
DeleteBeautiful pictures. I love seeing White Pelicans when they winter in the San Francisco Bay Area. So graceful for such a big bird.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kalifornia Kafir. I bet that is quite a sight, seeing them in the bay. And yes, it's hard to imagine a bird with a 9-foot wingspan being graceful, but they are quite successful!
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ReplyDeleteExcellent images! I can see why you love them, it really shows in your photography. So many great views here. Really enjoyed scrolling through them!
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos Jim. I have never been so close to these gorgeous birds.
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