This is the first time I have seen this
Oct 11, 2013 10:51:59 #
Oct 11, 2013 11:55:49 #
sassman3629L
Loc: South Florida
Gregory:
I am like all others, after living in Florida for years & years, have never seen a flying Pelicanon condition red with all flaps down looking for a place to put Her down as soon as possible. Reminiscent of the famous landing of the 757 in the East River a few years back by Senior Capt. "Sully" Sullivan.
I was amazed by his reaction to that crisis and am now amazed by your amazing shot of this wonderful Florida bird.
I have seen, on occasion a Pelican opening his bill to try to adjust a larger Mullet to correctly be turned around headfirst to make it easier to swallow into his gullet or just to carry back to his/her nest to feed their young.
I would guess it may be more comfortable for them to fly with their catch in that. Wonderful and very unusual photograph and YOU deserve to be the one to catch this one!!
Sonny
I am like all others, after living in Florida for years & years, have never seen a flying Pelicanon condition red with all flaps down looking for a place to put Her down as soon as possible. Reminiscent of the famous landing of the 757 in the East River a few years back by Senior Capt. "Sully" Sullivan.
I was amazed by his reaction to that crisis and am now amazed by your amazing shot of this wonderful Florida bird.
I have seen, on occasion a Pelican opening his bill to try to adjust a larger Mullet to correctly be turned around headfirst to make it easier to swallow into his gullet or just to carry back to his/her nest to feed their young.
I would guess it may be more comfortable for them to fly with their catch in that. Wonderful and very unusual photograph and YOU deserve to be the one to catch this one!!
Sonny
Oct 11, 2013 12:02:07 #
gregoryd45 wrote:
These shots are at the limit of my lens reach, and cropped heavily, so not as sharp as I would like, but I have never seen this before and wanted to share it. I have seen countless thousands of pelicans in flight, but never with the bill open like this one. At first I thought something might be wrong and he could not close his bill, but earlier shots in the sequence show his bill closed. Perhaps he is just screaming WHEEEE, looks like he's smiling
Could it be he's taking in insects? Several birds do so by opening their beaks and flying through the insects to get them into their mouths. Swifts, Swallos and humming birds all eat insects in this manner.
Oct 11, 2013 12:04:12 #
Oct 11, 2013 12:30:08 #
Oct 11, 2013 13:10:44 #
jstoogy wrote:
Very nice capture, good job.
Thanks so much jstoogy, always appreciate your looking and comment
Oct 11, 2013 13:12:35 #
cur wrote:
nice shot, my thought is the mouth got open and the wind wouldn't allow him to close it. It's really surprising what we see in nature through the eye of the camera that we may not see other wise. Nice series.
It was a very quite day, no wind at all. I have seen thousands and thousands of pelican in flight and never one with the bill open, can't explain it. Thanks for looking and for your comment cur
Oct 11, 2013 13:13:45 #
nairiam wrote:
Very interesting shot. We don't see Pelicans here but it's the only time I have seen a pic like this. Well caught and thanks for sharing.
Thanks so much for looking and for your comment, nairiam, really appreciate it.
Oct 11, 2013 13:14:34 #
OnDSnap wrote:
Now that is funny :)
Thanks for looking OnDSnap, appreciate it
Oct 11, 2013 13:15:26 #
nimbushopper wrote:
:-D
Thanks for looking nimbushopper, always appreciate it
Oct 11, 2013 13:16:32 #
hb3 wrote:
Perhaps it is a boring flight resulting in a big yawn! :D
Could be nb3, but look close, and you will see him smiling. Thanks for looking and for your comment, always appreciate it
Oct 11, 2013 13:16:37 #
They are both females!!!!
gregoryd45 wrote:
I think you may really be right this time, tk, lets see what the responses are.
Oct 11, 2013 13:18:12 #
Marilyng wrote:
I notice you live in Florida,if it was a very warm day birds will open their mouths to cool themselves down maybe this is why his/her mouth is open!
Thanks so much for looking and for your comment Marilyng, really appreciate it. The pelican will happily dive in the water to cool off. This is something I have never seen.
Oct 11, 2013 13:19:06 #
Jim Irvine wrote:
Great capture!!
Thanks Jim, really appreciate your looking and comment, glad you enjoyed
Oct 11, 2013 13:20:15 #
Dlevon wrote:
Its the wife, back seat driving! Great shots!! :thumbup: :thumbup:
Thanks so much for looking and for your comment, really appreciate it and the thumbs up
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