From my archives: we were on a road trip down to Florida and we had left our hotel that morning. We stopped shortly afterwards, so that we could enjoy our daily exercise by walking along the beach. An added benefit of course was being able to see not only the gulls but also the pelicans. As you can see by this first photo, it was a very foggy morning but there I am, camera in hand, enjoying all those birds.
I thought they were waiting for the fog to clear before taking off over the ocean......
but more likely they are all facing the same direction into the wind to stabilize themselves while standing. There is less chance of them getting blown over this way. Facing in this direction gives the gulls an easier takeoff, which I suppose applies to the Pelicans. Birds are generally referred to as a 'flight' when in the air and a 'flock' on the ground, but gulls on the ground are called a 'colony'.
So, what do you call a group of Pelicans?
A Squadron......
and this Squadron of Pelicans decided it was time to take off.....
but first they had to receive their orders from their Squadron Leader....
who was chatting with his second in command.
"Get ready chaps!"
Uh-oh! They're doing a scramble. Scramble? According to RAF (Royal Air Force) terminology, getting airborne as soon as possible. But they're looking a bit at a loss as to which direction to take off in. A bit ropey chaps!
Should we scrub take off?
Whoa, steady now!
No? It's a go!
And the crowd roars!
The Squadron Leader called it, a "Jolly good show and a good practice run. We will do even better tomorrow.
Let's head back to the NAAFI to get a cup of char". That's tea to everyone who doesn't know what a cup of char is.
It is said that Pelicans are the largest flying birds, because they have air in their bones that makes them lighter and more graceful than they appear.
Thanks for looking and if you remember this from last time, (last time being in March 2014), hopefully you will enjoy it again.
Have a great day!
Squadron...I probably just call them a group of pelicans :-)) They are pretty huge!
ReplyDeleteThe shots are wonderful! And you really conveyed how huge they are. I imagine that is part of what would make it so ungainly and clumsy to take off!
ReplyDeleteWow! What a wonderful experience! You tell such a fascinating and funny story about the pelicans and seagulls. I'd give anything to experience them like that; I'm so glad to see it with you. That was so entertaining, thank you!
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely day, hugs, Elke
Wow. Stunning work my friend
ReplyDeleteSquadron seems like the perfect word for pelicans. Your photos are awesome. What fun to watch them take off. I laughed at the picture that said "and the crowd roars"
ReplyDeleteThere are Laughing Gulls and Royal Terns with the Brown Pelicans, Denise, but you probably knew that. Pelicans are incredibly interesting birds to watch. Once in a while here in southern Ontario an American White Pelican or two pays a visit. That’s cause for great excitement in the birding community.
ReplyDeletePretty interesting about Pelicans. Evidently we have them here in the Midwest along the Mississippi River. I hope to get out this spring and find some along with the Eagles that are hanging out when the weather here is above zero for a bit!
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