Round 2 with the White Pelicans

[Every Miles A Memory]

After last weeks go around with the humongous flock of White Pelicans landing right behind our place in Cedar Key, I've been jonesing to get back out for another round.

I know they wont be here too much longer with the spring weather finally arriving so I had to jump at the chance to go out again. After a full day of work, with the late afternoon light in the perfect position for where they were sitting, I loaded up the kayak and paddled out to them.

I figured since they wont come to me again, I might as well go to them.

1.

2.

3.

Even though this looks like 3 different frames sandwiched together, it's actually 3 different Pelicans taking off at the same time. Since I was in a Kayak only about 50' from them, I had the perfect angle to shoot up into blank sky!

4.

5. I think this one if my favorite of the afternoon. Usually you dont see Brown Pelican's hanging out with the whites (No Racial Pun Intended), so when I saw this guy sitting near the flock, I was a bit surprised. As I floated up to them, he opened his wings and took to flight and never came back.

Luckily I was ready and have a whole series of him opening his wings and taking off, but this is my favorite.

Entire Gallery can be seen here

 

[Michael Slade]

Wow, those are cool. I love the sharpness of the wing-tips. I love looking at that structure as they catch the air. Thanks for sharing. Those are very nice.

 

[Every Miles A Memory]

Thanks Michael, they're soon becoming my favorite subject to shoot. I'm going to miss them when they leave to move North for the Summer

 

[Lost Canadian]

Yeah those are great Pat. I love the contrast in that last shot.

 

[Every Miles A Memory]

Thanks Trevor

I like that one for some reason too!

 

[Ryanmb21]

#5 is incredible, I love it!!

 

[07 Elephant]

Very nice. I like these posts you put up. Thanks for sharing.

 

[lostworldexpedition]

Those are wonderful shots. I do not remember ever noticing the little bump on the top side of the white pelican's beak, very noticeable on pic #2.

Thank you so much Pat.

 

[Every Miles A Memory]

Those are wonderful shots. I do not remember ever noticing the little bump on the top side of the white pelican's beak, very noticeable on pic #2.

Thank you so much Pat.

The white pelicans only have this bump during breeding season.

This is copied from Wikipedia

"In the breeding season, there is a laterally flattened "horn" on the upper bill, about one-third the bill's length behind the tip. This is shed off after the birds have mated and laid their eggs, and outside the breeding season the bare parts become duller in color, with the naked facial skin yellow and the bill, pouch and feet an orangy-flesh color"

Thanks for the compliments and comments. I'll do my best to keep posting more as I capture them. This is really all I have to shoot right now since the scenics and hiking is at a stand still due to our location. But making the best of it and actually really liking the birding thing

 

[ttora4runner]

That is nuts. Awesome. :victory: