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!
ReplyDeleteI think I did before this :) Fun to find out those different names though.
DeleteThe 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!
ReplyDeleteI think so Ginny and thank you :)
DeleteWow! 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
It certainly was, thank you Elke :) When I heard they were called a squadron of pelicans as a group, my mind started off, lol! Thank you for the kind words and very happy you enjoyed. You have a lovely day also, hugs, Denise
Deletep.s. I had a real fun time visiting your blog today.
Wow. Stunning work my friend
ReplyDeleteSweet of you to say, thank you too my friend :)
DeleteSquadron 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"
ReplyDeleteGlad you got a chuckle, thank you Ann. Very happy you had fun :)
DeleteThere 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.
ReplyDeleteI did but I thank you for the reminder of their ID David :) I rarely get to see a white pelican. How wonderful that would be. I saw them when on our Florida trip but that's been years ago now.
DeletePretty 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!
ReplyDeleteHi Val :) that's going to be a great day when you see them. I am looking forward to all the photos you take :) Stay warm!
DeleteCute show! Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteThank you Linda, much appreciated :)
DeleteThey are such interesting looking birds. Thank you for these photos.
ReplyDeleteThey certainly are and you are very welcome :)
DeleteThanks for this amazing information!
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it Christine, and thank you too :)
DeleteThey are so interesting to watch. How did you do that one photo with the action?
ReplyDeleteIt was done by Google when I paid for them to store my photos. They did a lot of motion if I had several photos lined up in my folder.
DeleteYou captured wonderful shot of the pelicans. It's always such a treat to see them in person. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteYou are very welcome Ellen, glad you enjoyed :)
DeleteI did enjoy this very much.
ReplyDeleteWonderful, so glad, thank you Yvonne :)
DeleteSquadron of Pelicans were quite handsome and I love how when they fly they are perfectly aligned
ReplyDeleteHugs Cecilia
Yes, they can be amazing to watch in flight. Thanks Cecilia, Hugs, Denise
DeleteThese are wonderful photos Denise. I love the gif :-D
ReplyDeleteI appreciate that Ananka, thank you so much :) That gif was none of my making and came as a surprise when it showed up in my email from Google storage.
DeleteHello Denise,
ReplyDeleteGreat series of photos! I love the pelicans, the gulls and terns.
Take care, enjoy your day and the week ahead.
So glad you enjoyed Eileen, thank you and I wish you the same :)
DeletePelicans are my favorite of all birds and this was a Jolly Good Show and I love it, love it, love it! the commentary is perfect and I felt like I could hear engines in the air.
ReplyDeleteI love them on the ground and in the aid and mid flight. they are just so ugly they are beautiful... and here there are as common as robins up where you are and most people don't even look at them.... beaches are my thing and we loved to sit on the Atlantic side and watch the pelicans soaring a long the tall buildings
Big smile from me then, thank you Sandra :) My imagination can go flying along with the pelicans at times, lol! I loved seeing all of them, and the other birdlife, in our trip years ago. Amazing and gorgeous!
DeleteEXCELLENT Captures!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Sandra, happy you think so :)
DeleteI just find pelicans fascinating. They are a very cool looking bird and I've been intrigued by them since I was a kid. You got some marvelous photos, too. What a good memory to share!
ReplyDeleteThank you Jeanie, I'm happy you enjoyed them :)
DeleteWhat a great post ... it's left me smiling.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
Wonderful! So glad Jan, you made my day :) All the best to you too, Denise
DeleteLindos pelicanos. Te mando un beso.
ReplyDeleteMuchas gracias. Me alegra que hayas disfrutado de los pelícanos. Te mando un beso :)
DeleteWow! You were really close to them. I guess I've never gone to the beach on a misty, windy morning.
ReplyDeleteThank you Carol :) Fortunately I had a zoom lens on my camera which helped :) I daresay we were in the right place at the right time. We just stopped at the beginning of our journey that day, just for a little walk on the beach.
DeleteThat looks like the perfect morning on the beach. What a great walk and those pelicans are cool!
ReplyDeleteIt's a great memory Erika. I often leaf through my old blog and was happy to come across this to share again today. Yes, it was a perfect morning for sure :)
Deletewonderful captures...i love a foggy beach scene. i really enjoyed seeing the pelicans, we don't see them here!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Debbie and me too. It's been ages since I had that opportunity. I have never seen them here either. A little further south when we have visited relatives at the seaside :)
DeleteThe Pelicans are so interesting.....and you saw so many of them! Such wonderful photos, and I really like the moving picture.
ReplyDeleteI agree Sheri, always very interesting. Thank you so much!
DeleteI enjoyed seeing the pelican squadron trying to organise themselves and get airbourne. Great photos.
ReplyDeleteThat's great Beverley and thank you :)
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