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My Fellow Pelicans...


My Fellow Pelicans...
Photo Information
Copyright: Manyee Desandies (manyee) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3067 W: 231 N: 6166] (21070)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-09-15
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon Powershot S3 IS
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-10-02 23:42
Viewed: 1091
Points: 26
[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
Alex99, red45, SunToucher, horia, ddg, MMM, Luis52 has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3586 W: 143 N: 5690] (18601)
  • [2007-10-03 0:29]

Hi Manyee.
Amazing crop and very expressive beautiful scene. Wonderful timing, excellent rich colours and contrast, great DOF and details of the entire image. My compliments and TFS.
Alexei.

  • Great 
  • red45 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2705 W: 74 N: 8864] (30243)
  • [2007-10-03 0:32]

Hello Manyee!

Superb pose :-) It looks like preacher from TV :-) Very good tight composition and brown tones. I like it very much.

Hi ManYee,
Another stunning pelican photo. I really love the pose and the fact that the bird was facing you. It almost feels as if he's inviting you for a warm hug. The lighting and warm colors are very beautiful.
TFS,
Niek

  • Great 
  • horia Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2173 W: 220 N: 4384] (14904)
  • [2007-10-03 1:42]

Hi Manyee

This is a fantastic photo and a majestic pose captured from this impressive pelican!
The details and the composition here is terrific, with a very dramatic composition given by the close-up level to the subject...i LOVE it!
The colors and details are also gorgeous - especially the ripples on the water that add to the overall visual impact of the photo.
Charming work!

Bravo and TFS
Horia

  • Great 
  • ddg Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 855 W: 23 N: 942] (5111)
  • [2007-10-03 2:11]

Bonjour Manyee, great timing with this Pelicanus soft landing!! I like colors and ripple waves under it. Congratulations, Didier.

  • Great 
  • jossim Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1575 W: 5 N: 2181] (12252)
  • [2007-10-03 3:10]

Bonjour Manyee,

Bravo pour le Pov et l'exposition.
Merci.
Joseph

Hi Manyee,
nice shot with a great composition.
The pose of the pelican and the colors are great.

TFS Tatjana

  • Great 
  • MMM Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 921 W: 0 N: 1985] (8905)
  • [2007-10-03 8:45]

Hi Manyee
Excellent close up of that bird.Excellent POV and very sharp image.The light is beautiful and I also like that catch light in the eye.
TFS Michel

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2398 W: 94 N: 5543] (17640)
  • [2007-10-03 8:49]

Hello Manyee,
Another beauty of the Pelican. Very nice pose and composition. Great colours.
Regards,
Peter

  • Great 
  • Dave Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 525 W: 47 N: 674] (2173)
  • [2007-10-03 10:09]

Nice Manyee!
I like how he spread his wings for you.

  • Great 
  • Luis52 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1110 W: 5 N: 3457] (12761)
  • [2007-10-03 10:45]

Hola Manyee. Bella foto. Parce saludate con sus alas bien extendidas. Exelente el momento logrado aqui. Luis52.

  • Great 
  • gannu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1169 W: 4 N: 3262] (14691)
  • [2007-10-04 3:31]

Manyee, superb shot and what a lovely view. Excellent poV and wonderful focus. Well done Ganesh

Hi Manyee,
A very nice shot of the brown pelican, these birds are very interesting looking with their comical chararistic features. I like your new avatar picture of JinYao, he sure is cute, you must be very proud. :)

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