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Young and Old


Young and Old
Photo Information
Copyright: Manyee Desandies (manyee) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3067 W: 231 N: 6165] (21068)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-09-15
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon Powershot S3 IS
Exposure: f/3.5, 1/1600 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-09-26 17:15
Viewed: 678
Points: 32
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Brown Pelican
Pelecanus occidentalis

Grand gosier, Pélican brun (French)
Alcatraz, Pelícano café, Pelícano pardo (Spanish)

Unique among the world's seven species of pelicans, the Brown Pelican is found along the ocean shores and not on inland lakes. It is the only dark pelican, and also the only one that plunges from the air into the water to catch its food.

Description:
Large, dark waterbird.
Long bill with extensible pouch.
Legs short.
Body large and heavy.
Feet webbed.
Wings long and broad.
Tail short.
Soars close to water surface.
Dives from the air into the water.
Size: 100-137 cm (39-54 in)
Wingspan: 200 cm (79 in)
Weight: 2000-5000 g (70.6-176.5 ounces)
Sexes look alike; males slightly larger.

Sound:
Generally silent away from nesting colony. Nestling squawks for food; adults have low, hoarse display calls.

Conservation Status:
Shooting for feathers and to "protect" fishing caused declines in pelican populations in the first half of the 20th century. Pesticide poisoning, especially by DDT, caused severe declines across the range in the late 1950's and the extirpation from Louisiana ("the pelican state"). It was listed as Endangered throughout the range in 1970. The ban on DDT led to a population recovery, and it was removed from the Endangered Species list in Atlantic Coast states in 1985. Breeding numbers in most states are stable or increasing, and the total population in the United States now exceeds historical levels.

Cool Facts:

While the Brown Pelican is draining the water from its bill after a dive, gulls often try to steal the fish right out of its pouch. They sometimes even perch on the pelican's head or back and reach in. The pelican itself, however, is not above stealing fish from other seabirds. It also follows fishing boats and hangs around piers for handouts.
The Brown Pelican frequently lowers its head onto its shoulders with the bill open, pulls its head back, and stretches the pouch over its throat and neck. The exposed neck looks like a large lump sticking up out of the pouch.
Unlike most birds, which warm their eggs with the skin of their breasts, pelicans incubate their eggs with their feet. They hold the eggs under the webs that stretch from the front toes to the hind toe, essentially standing on the eggs to warm them. This peculiar incubation method made them vulnerable to the effects of the pesticide DDT. The DDT made the eggshells thin, and the incubating parents frequently cracked their eggs.

Source
Pentaxfriend, MMM, Juyona, aido, Patleboss, Aaltjie, kjpweb, earthtraveler has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Manyee,

Beautiful shot of these two Pelicans
Excellent lighting
Perfect sharpness, details, POV and colours

TFS Thijs

  • Great 
  • MMM Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 921 W: 0 N: 1985] (8905)
  • [2007-09-26 17:45]

Hi Manyee
Beautiful image and nice composition.Great POV and excellent details and colors.The colors and reflextion of the water is lovely.
TFS Michel

  • Great 
  • Juyona Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2264 W: 10 N: 2632] (15573)
  • [2007-09-26 19:02]

Hola Manyee,
gran trabajo,
colores maturales y buen pov,
iluminación perfecta,
saludos

  • Great 
  • aido Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor [C: 1044 W: 156 N: 1218] (4046)
  • [2007-09-26 19:25]

Hi Manyee,
This is excellent, beautiful warm light and colours, accurate exposure showing great detail. A nice composition too, it's a very peaceful image to view. Great work!
Regards,
Adrian

Hello Manyee, fantastic shot, realy beautifull duo of brown pelican, lovely colours of water and impressive details on plumage,
great shot,
cheer,
friendly,
Pat

  • Great 
  • pirate Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 472 W: 99 N: 624] (3215)
  • [2007-09-26 23:32]

Hi Manyee
lovely capture with great colour reflection on the water, perfect exposure and very nice eyes
great
tfs
tom

Hi Manyee
Great shot of these two Pelicans
Excellent lighting,details,Sharpness POV and colors
Well Done!!! TFS
Tom

Dear Manyee
You make me jealous, and I envy you.
I also would like to see these type of birds and all other kind of animals in real life.
This photo is so good, it is as if is a mirror image of one another, just different in colour.
So I agree with your photos title. The Young and Old. I also think the saying “Birds from the same feather” is applicable here. Astonishing how some of us humans also look alike.
Thanks for sharing, it is much appreciated.
Warmest regards
Aaltjie

Buen enfoque y preciosos colores. Elegancia del conjunto.
Saludos Manyee

Gorgeous capture! Very beautiful colors and detail - not to mention the serene pose! Kudos, Manyee! Cheers, Klaus

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2007-09-27 8:32]

Hello Manyee

Beautiful lighting and reflections in this shot.The focus is spot on with excellent sharp details.The shot is well composed.TFS

Rob

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2395 W: 94 N: 5542] (17634)
  • [2007-09-27 12:14]

Hello Manyee,
What a fabulous light and clear colours in your photo again. Perfect sharpness and POV. Good composition.
Regards,
Peter

  • Great 
  • EOSF1 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1381 W: 126 N: 5246] (23469)
  • [2007-09-28 9:29]

Hello Manyee ! Great pair ! Very nice composition, very sharp and well exposed. Good light in their eyes ! Thanks,

Mario

Hi Manyee,
Beautiful pair of Pelicans.
Nicely exposed in the evening light and the surrounding water colors add to the beauty of the image.
Well done!
Richard

Hello Manyee,
An excellent shot of the dynamic duo, your pelicans are very elegant in the ambient lighting. Your subject show nice details and colors. I photographed this species down in Peru, they are a very comical looking bird. :)

  • Great 
  • mbasil Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 336 W: 149 N: 745] (3304)
  • [2007-10-06 10:41]

I love this two-shot, Manyee. Perfectly composed. Very crisp. Strong light, too. Your crop works perfectly. Not a nit to pick.
Mike

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