Doing the Pelican Waltz
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325815)
Rockingham, Australia
April 5, 2016 12:53am CST
I promised I'd put up some more pelican photos taken on our recent jaunt to the south coast of Western Australia. However I hadn't realised Vince had got such a great shot as the one I've added here. It makes me chuckle every time I look at it.
And just so you get some value for your reading, there are seven species of pelican. The skeleton is very light comprising only 10% of the bird's weight. The bill when fully extended can hold up to 13 litres. It is delicately built and can change colour dramatically during courtship. Part of the top and base of the bill turn to cobalt blue, the throat region of the pouch becomes yellow and the forward part of the pouch a bright salmon pink. A black strip forms from the base to the tip. The change in colour does not last long.
I hope you enjoy the photo.
28 people like this
31 responses
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
5 Apr 16
We have the California Brown Pelican where I live. They are not this pretty, but when they fly over the surf, it is like magic to watch.
2 people like this
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
7 Apr 16
@JudyEv Aren't they wonderful when they just skim the surface of the sea in formation? So cool.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325815)
• Rockingham, Australia
8 Apr 16
@ElizabethWallace I like watching them land so elegantly on top of something like the top of a post. They have great control - except when they're dancing! :)
1 person likes this
@allknowing (130064)
• India
5 Apr 16
You seem to have good knowledge about pelicans something I never knew before That is a large group that you were able to watch while being active.
. i remember my visit to the Philip Island to watch the Penguins March.
2 people like this
@allknowing (130064)
• India
6 Apr 16
@JudyEv Poor things. That they are dancing in itself is a great thing.
1 person likes this
@louievill (28851)
• Philippines
5 Apr 16
That is beautiful, it's a pity we do not have them here, perhaps they would breed if somebody makes some effort
2 people like this
@MarymargII (12422)
• Toronto, Ontario
5 Apr 16
As Pelicans are usually only seen down in the US and are not native to Canada- that's a rare treat. they are semi-tropical to me in nature anyway!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325815)
• Rockingham, Australia
6 Apr 16
@MarymargII How nice is that? Someone has heard of Lake Eyre! 
I'm never too sure if I'm explaining too much or not enough :)
I'm never too sure if I'm explaining too much or not enough :)@MarymargII (12422)
• Toronto, Ontario
6 Apr 16
@JudyEv Yes and I've heard of Lake Eyre too!
1 person likes this
Yes, this is what they seem to practice.
@Jessicalynnt (50525)
• Centralia, Missouri
5 Apr 16
looks rather like a crazy dance atm, hehe
1 person likes this
@Jessicalynnt (50525)
• Centralia, Missouri
3 Apr 17
@JudyEv I think I might trip!
1 person likes this
@responsiveme (22926)
• India
28 Jun 16
It IS a good shot.
A limerick you may recall...
The Pelican...Ogden Nash
A wonderful bird is the pelican,
His bill can hold more than his beli-can.
He can take in his beak
Food enough for the week;
But I'm damned if I see how the heli-can.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325815)
• Rockingham, Australia
29 Jun 16
@responsiveme Thanks for this! I thought there was more to it! Well done. :)
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325815)
• Rockingham, Australia
29 Jun 16
@responsiveme What would we do without him?
1 person likes this
@silvermist (19702)
• India
11 Apr 16
@JudyEvThat is a lot of new information about Pelicans.That is a rare photo I would say.
1 person likes this
@Morleyhunt (21737)
• Canada
5 Apr 16
What a nice photograph of the Pelicans. Thanks for sharing those pelican facts.
1 person likes this
@Morleyhunt (21737)
• Canada
6 Apr 16
@JudyEv that was my thought, it looks like they are dancing.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325815)
• Rockingham, Australia
6 Apr 16
I think it is wonderful. They look so funny don't they? Like they're trying to line-dance. :)
@destimona (1910)
• Luxembourg, Luxembourg
6 Apr 16
@JudyEv Yes.It looks so funny.
1 person likes this
