Have you seen a real pelican?
By Kareng
@kareng (55003)
United States
January 26, 2007 12:26pm CST
Have you ever seen a real pelican up close and personal? These birds are gorgeous and huge. Wingspan is like 4 feet! We have a flock that spends the winter here in Baton Rouge, LA. I try and get a few good shots of them each year. The photo is one of the birds on the lake at the university.
5 people like this
11 responses
@groomtobe23 (635)
• United States
29 Jan 07
My extent of knowledge in regards to pelicans has been on television. I have never been to the Southern United States, and as such, haven't been able to see them in real life. I do remember that we saw some when I was younger and we drove across the country, but I couldn't even tell you what they looked like, or where I saw them, so I don't really count them as an experience.
1 person likes this
@Catkin (480)
• United States
29 Jan 07
Yep, I've seen both American White Peilcans and Brown Pelicans. They are indeede huge birds. It's a wonder they're able to fly at all, but when you see them on the wing they are surprisingly graceful. I like it when the males are redy to breed and develop the knobs on their bills; they remind me so much of pterosaurs, heh heh.
1 person likes this
@lifeiseasy (2292)
• United States
29 Jan 07
Yes , they are very big most people who have never seen them think they are smaller...They can be a pain while fishing though ...I have seen some get caught in the fishing lines...LA huh Fl. here hope we don't get any more hurricanes right !!! we lost alot of birds and wildlife with them ...
1 person likes this
@lisado (1227)
• United States
17 Feb 07
This sounds horrible, but I can't remember? I don't think so. If I have, it was at a zoo and a million or so years ago. I always thought they were kind of neat looking. All we get around are Canadian Geese. They drive us bonkers!Noisy, messy and they have the right of way. I've seen damage to cars when they get hit (we have some that never leave, so cars don't scare them) and it's almost as bad as hitting a deer! At least the deer will get out of the road!
1 person likes this
@margieanneart (26423)
• United States
2 Apr 07
I have seen them so many times, I cannot count. It is my husbands favorite bird. One doesn't realize how large they are. We lived in Florida, and they have so many there. When you go onto the docks, you will see a lot of them there.
@kareng (55003)
• United States
28 Jan 07
I have a couple more pics being developed now. I'll be sure to email you one. I got one close-up but it was the very last picture on the roll and I didn't have more film that day. Of course, I would find the best spot when there is only one picture left of the roll. I hope it comes out decently!
@speedy1279 (2665)
• United States
4 Apr 07
Yes, back in July. My husband and I were in Clearwater Beach and one landed on a railing about six feet away from us. I have a picture of the bird. I will try to post the photo.
