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Hop Skip and a Jump


Hop Skip and a Jump
Photo Information
Copyright: ernie leo (ernieleo) Silver Note Writer [C: 1 W: 2 N: 55] (248)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-12-13
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 400D, Canon 100-400L IS f4-5.6
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/1250 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-01-21 17:20
Viewed: 707
Points: 14
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Brown Pelican shot at Main Street Beach, Central Coast of California

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) is the smallest of the eight species of pelican, although it is a large bird in nearly every other regard. It is 106-137 cm (42-54 in) in length, weighs from 2.75 to 5.5 kg (6-12 lb) and has a wingspan from 1.83 to 2.5 m (6 to 8.2 ft).

It lives strictly on coasts from Washington and Virginia south to northern Chile and the mouth of the Amazon River. Some immature birds may stray to inland freshwater lakes. After nesting, North American birds move in flocks further north along the coasts, returning to warmer waters for winter.

This bird is distinguished from the American White Pelican by its brown body and its habit of diving for fish from the air, as opposed to co-operative fishing from the surface. It eats mainly herring-like fish. Groups of Brown Pelicans often travel in single file, flying low over the water's surface.

The nest location varies from a simple scrape on the ground on an island to a bulky stick nest in a low tree. These birds nest in colonies, usually on islands.

Pesticides like DDT and dieldrin threatened its future in the southeast United States and California in the early 1970s. Pesticides also threatened the pelican population in Florida in this period.

Along with the American White Pelican, the Brown Pelican is protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918.

The Brown Pelican is the state bird of Louisiana.

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.
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Critiques [Translate]

Awesome shot Ernie!
That is a great action shot! The bird's pose and look is somewhat comical which IMO adds uniqueness to the shot. Very nicely done. I wish the Gull was out of the frame but nevertheless, you've got wonderful shot. DOF, colors and the frozen water are excellent. Great work.

Martin

  • Great 
  • rcrick Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 713 W: 36 N: 1554] (5001)
  • [2008-01-21 19:41]

Hello Ernie;
Congratulations on an excellent shot of this Brown Pelican in take-off mode, detail is stunning and very well frozen, even down to the water droplets, I might have cropped out the bird on the lower left, a little distracting but a great shot never the less, all the best Cheers Rick :)

Hi Ernie,
This is a beautiful photo. Good timing, great details and sharpness.

My only suggestion will be to clone out the bird out of focus. Otherwise a winner.

Regards,
Iris

Amazing capture, perfectly exposed and wonderful sharpness.

TFS, brilliant!

Alli

Wow! A impressive movement you managed to capture in full action.
Congrats for a great shot,
Mike

  • Great 
  • krall Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 172 W: 0 N: 59] (1993)
  • [2008-01-22 1:53]

Çok güzel bir çekim açısı tebrik ederim, gaga kısmına biraz daha keskinlik verseydınız tam olurmuş Selamlar..

Hello Ernie,
An amazing posture hasd been captured!
The freeze is well done with sharp fine details in the big bird, hopefully he was able to take off...
A pleasant composition, fine natural colours!
Greetings,
Pablo -

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