During a break in the weather yesterday we had a walk around Herdsman Lake. With all the rain we have had this week the lake is full to overflowing making it impossible to get as close without wearing galoshes, which I wasn't. Up ahead through the trees around the lake the blurry shape of the biggest pelican I've ever seen. Seriously it was ginormous.. determined to get clearer shots I did end up with soggy shoes :)
Not sure if these pics give a clear idea of his size, in fact I think the first blurry shot gives the best indication. When he finished preening and swam out onto the lake I did get a clearer image. A few facts, pelicans can live from 15 to 25 years in the wild, I'm guessing we're looking at an old fella here.. size of bill up to 50cm (20in) I would have said this beauty was longer! He was an impressive sight.. definitely worth the soggy shoes đ Happy Saturday, take care and stay safe..
They look so ungainly, but I find them to be rather graceful.
ReplyDeleteI love pelicans, always find it so cute when I see them on lamp posts.
ReplyDelete...neat to see, I've only seen pictures!
ReplyDeleteHe is a treasure, Grace! Worth the wet feet!
ReplyDeleteI like those birds thye are so big and strange. The fist one I ever saw was in Florida when one flew over the sea. I was stunned to see such a big bird coming over, looked like an aeroplane to me. I have now seen them only in the zoo. One is escaping twice, the wings have to be cut every 5 weeks but he managed to walk in the streets of Amsterdam! Isn't that cute? Clever bird!
ReplyDeleteSuch interesting birds.
ReplyDeleteThat Pelican Was Smiling For Ya - Well Done
ReplyDeleteCheers
What a beauty Grace. Great photos!
ReplyDeleteA beautiful bird, I love seeing them. When I lived in southern Oregon, I always seen them flying around. In the town I lived, an artist created a bronze sculpture of a pelican and it was placed in an area that you would drive through when entering the city. It was a grand sight to see.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, he may be an old fellow but he's just so handsome and cute at the same time! Your first opening photo, with the slightly hidden pelican is just beautiful!
ReplyDeleteVery beautiful. The Jimmy Durante of birds.
ReplyDeleteWow, these shots were worth soggy shoes for sure. He is a big fellow. That last photo is stunning. I saw a lot of pelicans in California when I was there but they were all at a distance. I didn't get to see any up close like this.
ReplyDeleteGreat bird. Great shots.
ReplyDeleteThat's one big pelican!! Sorry to hear about your shoes, but yes, worth it for these great photos!
ReplyDeleteThey are strange looking birds, for sure. I once saw a pair with the beaks locked together, both trying to take possession of one fish. They were like that for a number of minutes.
ReplyDeleteYou are marvelous!
ReplyDeleteSome amazing shot. I was down in san franisco on one docks and there was pelican there was quite the mooch.
ReplyDeleteCoffee is on
Grace, that is one elegant looking pelican. Sorry to hear about your soggy shoes. I hate when that happens.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your soggy shoes. I love seeing this guy. They ARE big birds and I don't think I've had the pleasure of seeing any so close.
ReplyDeleteHa ha! "It's worth blanket shoes"
ReplyDeleteA big pelican! I want to see it with my own eyes.
Do I need long boots? :)
You´re a true hero, Grace :-)
ReplyDeleteOnce at Monkey Mia a pelican chased me, my, that bird was big!!!
Ohhhh, that last shot!
SO worth the soggy shoes, I´m tempted to bring rain boots ;-) xox
Que maravilha, belas fotografias.
ReplyDeleteUm abraço e bom fim-de-semana apesar das altas temperaturas.
Andarilhar
Dedais de Francisco e Idalisa
Livros-Autografados
Amazing pics.
ReplyDeleteWow - amazing!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous photos, Gracie. We often see them perched on the Freeway Lights when driving home from the grandies. I believe they had to be especially designed to take the weight of the huge birds... enjoyed this posting, very much.
ReplyDeleteHello Grace,
ReplyDeleteVery special shots of these pelicans.
So great to see these kind of birds.
Kind regards,
Marco
What an amazing bird. It looks bigger than the pelicans around here.
ReplyDeleteThay are fascinating birds and that last shot is superb. Cheers Diane
ReplyDeletePelicans to me are such comical birds and are so much fun to watch!!
ReplyDeleteI think he's beautiful!
ReplyDelete