A pelican reflecting
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381759)
Rockingham, Australia
March 4, 2018 7:50am CST
Do you like pelicans? They intrigue me. In some ways, for instance on land, they seem clumsy and not particularly graceful but when they are on the water they look much more dignified and almost regal. In the air they remind me of flying boats.
Australia has only one species of pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus) and when there is good rainfall in the centre of Australia, specifically on Lake Eyre, pelicans make the long journey inland and breed in large numbers on the lake.
The town of Denmark in Western Australia has a large number of pelicans which frequent the river and estuary near the caravan park. They provide a lot of entertainment for visitors. They also provide great opportunities for reflection type photos.
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24 responses
!!! My response was more of a 
You are right, we have beautiful and very bad tempered swans. I think my little red robin is preparing his baggage, winter is almost over.
@JudyEv (381759)
• Rockingham, Australia
5 Mar 18
Perhaps you'll see one while you're in Florida. I hope so although ours are a different colour.
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
4 Mar 18
I saw a pelican for the first time last year when we went to Myrtle Beach. It was pretty neat.
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@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
5 Mar 18
@JudyEv I didn't get to see them up close.. but I saw them flying above the water and swooping down. It was pretty cool.
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@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
6 Mar 18
I am always thrilled somehow to see a squadron of brown pelicans in perfect formation while at the Oregon coast.
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@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
6 Mar 18
@JudyEv The way the fly on the coast here at least, is like a squadron, each following the other's moves so perfectly.
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@JudyEv (381759)
• Rockingham, Australia
7 Mar 18
@JamesHxstatic And is one line always shorter than the other? 
@JudyEv (381759)
• Rockingham, Australia
5 Mar 18
Here is a photo of one with his beak open. They can scoop up a lot of fish when they want to.
@dgobucks226 (37621)
•
7 Mar 18
Yes, Pelicans are interesting birds. When I was in Florida I saw some by the fishing docks. They were very opportunistic waiting patiently for some fish scraps from the fisherman. They do seem clumsy but inflight, much more dignified, lol.
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@dgobucks226 (37621)
•
8 Mar 18
@JudyEv Great photo! Yes, they act just like the seagulls at our beach.
@Bullshark (3477)
• Netherlands
5 Mar 18
I just found out that the Australian Pelican has the longest bill of any living bird on the planet and it's also able to hold 13 litres of water in its flexible pouch. Wow! The pouch of a pelican can hold more than its belly can :)
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@Bullshark (3477)
• Netherlands
6 Mar 18
@JudyEv Now I haven't, until now...thanks Judy! It's a funny limerick, yet true and beautiful too...
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@jobelbojel (36791)
• Philippines
5 Mar 18
I did not notice that it is a pelican. I have not seen one upclose and personal. I want to be like the pelican reflecting.
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@JudyEv (381759)
• Rockingham, Australia
5 Mar 18
I think you have put it very well. I agree completely.
@JudyEv (381759)
• Rockingham, Australia
6 Mar 18
Thanks. I'm glad you like it. There is a nice children's book about a boy and a pelican too and it was made into a film. It's called Storm Boy.
@AliCanary (4387)
•
4 Mar 18
Wow, what beautiful coloration! The ones we have here are just a drab brown. I think they are neat--they look kind of prehistoric, like their pterodactyl ancestors.
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@JudyEv (381759)
• Rockingham, Australia
5 Mar 18
Dianne posted a photo of a Florida pelican and it is a drab brown. Here is a photo of one looking very pterodactyl-like. It has something in its beak.
@teamfreak16 (43567)
• Denver, Colorado
10 Mar 18
I've never seen one in person that I remember. Cool photo!
1 person likes this
