Edited to add: Read Carletta's comment to learn about the growth on their beak!
Sunday, March 17, 2013
We drove down to the Goose Pond Wetland area yesterday evening hoping to see something/some kind of birds.
My blog buddy Mary had been down there a while back and saw pelicans and I was hoping to see some. We were not disappointed.
We were very lucky in that there was a group of them at one pond that was close enough for me to get these shots. Notice the 'growths' near the end of the beaks on some of the ones above...I have no idea what it means. I have not did any real research on it...only looked at Cornell's All About Birds and they did not mention it, but their photo showed it. (These photos are definitely better if clicked to expand the view.)
It was as if they were trying to do synchronized swimming....They would swim straight ahead as in the first shot for a bit, then turn and swim towards the little island, and all would duck under water at the same time.
Edited to add: Read Carletta's comment to learn about the growth on their beak!
Edited to add: Read Carletta's comment to learn about the growth on their beak!
You sure got pelicans! How neat to see so many in one place.
ReplyDeleteI learned not long ago that the growth develops during breeding season and drops off about the time the young hatch.
You hit the jackpot, this is awesome!!!! I love the second one where they are all facing the same way.
ReplyDeleteHow fun to see so many at once! The synchronized swimming must have been a sight to see!
ReplyDeletemy favorite bird and the also fly synchronized to. we love to watch them ride the wind going up and down together. you were lucky to find all these white ones. the white is rare here
ReplyDeleteOh wow Rose, that is so awesome to see! We are heading to the Mississippi today, we hope to see some eagles.
ReplyDeletei agree with what carletta said about the growth - someone posted about it in blogland not so long ago. :)
ReplyDeletei've been missing you! :)
How fun to see them all! And, you got some great shots of them "all lined up" for their photo shoot. ;)
ReplyDeleteA fine series of these impressive birds. Interesting facts from Carletta.
ReplyDeleteA fine series of these impressive birds. Interesting facts from Carletta.
ReplyDeleteI can imagine this must have been so cool to see in person! The shots are great...thanks for sharing. That is something I would not see unless I traveled. What a visual treat!
ReplyDeleteWow, what awesome shots Rose!
ReplyDeleteI was going to say they look like they are in one of those row boats where there are like 20 guys all rowing at the same time. I don't know what you call that cuz I live where they don't do that....but that's what it looked like...or synchronized swimming. lol Great shots!!!
ReplyDelete