Saturday 10 November 2012

Australian Pelican

I love our pelicans. Pelecanus conspicillatus. They certainly are conspicuous. 

But they do have such an extraordinary grace.

Despite their appearance.

Although they do look ungainly and awkward flying.




And rather improbable. 

And even more ridiculous as they land. 



They seem to have a sense of fun though. You often see groups of them quite high, circling, soaring on thermals.


And they like sitting on stuff. Despite their size. 



Saturday Snapshot, is a wonderful weekly meme from at home with books

27 comments:

Brona said...

What beautiful photos Louise. They capture the style of the pelican so well. I particularly love the first pic of the pelican gliding through the water - he actually looks graceful!

Swan Pond said...

A beautiful selection of pics. I really love the landing shot. This post reminds me I just reread Storm Boy the other day. It was great. I cried of course!

Megan

Christine Harding said...

Pelicans! How wonderful. They look very elegant on the water. I've had a break for a couple of weeks, but my Snapshot is at http://goo.gl/CQuKI

Paulita said...

In the first one, the water and sky meld together like glass. The pelican looks like he's floating on nothing. I love watching pelicans. Here's Mine

Trish said...

Pelicans are quite something. We used to love watching them whenever we went to the beach - they'd fly in small flocks just skimming the surface of the water. Amazing!

Eugenia O'Neal said...

That's a handsome pelican! Ours are just a dull grey. Great shots!

(Diane) Bibliophile By the Sea said...

Beautiful; such stunning bills.

Anonymous said...


Excellent shots of the pelican. I've only ever seen them in zoos where they just stand around.

Laurel-Rain Snow said...

Great shots! I agree that they are gorgeous birds, even if awkward when flying. Thanks for sharing.

Here's MY SATURDAY SNAPSHOT POST

Peppermint Ph.D. said...

Can you even imagine going through life trying to balance that beak ;)
Great shots!

DCMetroreader said...

They look very majestic! Nice photos!

Deb Nance at Readerbuzz said...

We have pelicans here, but they are brown and their beaks are much stubbier.

Love your beautiful Australian pelicans. So pretty on the water.

Anonymous said...

I love pelicans too! Those photos in the water are stunning!

Bev Hankins said...

Love, love, love the pelican photos! I knew they had big beaks....but didn't realize they're even longer than their necks.

Here's my Snapshot.

grammajudyb said...

Pelicans are such interesting birds, both graceful and clumsy. Everytime I think of pelicans, I can't help but smile and think of the pelicans portrayed in "Finding Nemo". :)
Here is my Snapshot Saturday post for today

Martha Eskuchen said...

I enjoy your bird photos! Pelicans are all of what you describe, awkward, graceful and fun. Thanks for sharing.

Susan Lindquist said...

Such interesting birds with such an arresting appearance ... that beak looks to weigh them down, but no! Amazing adaptation!

Alyce said...

Those are all awesome! I love the reflection in the first one, and the awkward landing is cute too.

Sim Carter said...

Living near the California coast you'd think I would see pelicans more often but no. Your shots are spectacular! The landing is too much!

Leslie (Under My Apple Tree) said...

What a handsome bird, never mind that they are a little awkward at times. I don't get to see them where I live... have to go a little further south.

Anonymous said...

That's a bird I've never seen over here. Its extraordinary long beak seems to be an inconvenience, esp. the Pelican is flying. Thanks for these wonderful photos.

Ginx Craft said...

Great photos, particularly the inflight ones.

Book Savvy Babe said...

you're right, they do look a little awkward flying :) But, they are such interesting birds, I love their coloring. Thanks for sharing, Book Savvy Babe

Irene said...

I love your pelicans too. Great shots.

Esme said...

I love watching birds in flight-they are so graceful.

Lady In Read said...

i love these photos.. and my 9 year old is totally into birds - he wants to be an ornithologist :) - will show him these ...

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

Louise, these pelicans have such an elegant manner about them. Living close to the Gulf of Mexico and the Bay of Mobile, we have an abundant population of brown pelicans. Although they are not quite the elegant birds here, I love seeing them gliding over the water.

Bises,
Genie