Daily Archives: August 22, 2015

Don’t you just love pelicans!

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Pelican head DAP_Glamour3I just love pelicans! My first book was about a pelican, Roger over and out.

I find it awesome when I consider the following facts about these intricately created birds.

“Pelicans are not capable of sustained flapping flight, but can remain in the air for 24 hours, covering hundreds of kilometres. They are excellent soarers and can use thermals to rise to considerable altitudes. Flight at 1,000m is common, and heights of 3 000 m have been recorded. By moving from one thermal to the next, pelicans can travel long distances with a minimum of effort, reaching air speeds of up to 56 km/hour.”

Wouldn’t you love to be able to do that? What incredible sights they must see!pelican soaring_DAP_Glamour2

 

You might ask how such a large bird can get off the ground? Well, according to those who study the breed, pelicans have an extremely light skeleton, weighing less than 10% of their total body weight.

Sited 22 Aug 2015 http://www.birdsinbackyards.net/species/Pelecanus-conspicillatus

Birds must be lightweight to fly, so have evolved very lightweight hollow bones. The structure of their bones resembles honeycomb, making them very strong but also very light. http://www.birdsinbackyards.net/birds/Bird-Anatomy-How-do-birds-fly

Considering these statistics is it little wonder I was led to write about a        globe-trotting or globe soaring Australian pelican, who had spent his life flying from ship to ship. Whether it be a cruise ship or navy ship, Roger was known by all on his route, and wherever he went he was fussed over and treated to tasty delights. (Primarily fish!)

Aircraft_carrier_HMS_Ark_Royal_(R07)_pic_32-1 background removed CROPPED_DAP_Glamour_003

With such an interesting and energetic life it was little wonder that as he grew older and began running out of puff, he found himself faced with a dilemma. He needed to find a nice quiet place to retire.

So began his long search for the Quiet Side of the Great Lake.

Being an avid photographer, pelican behaviour fascinates me. They can be very comical in appearance with their unusual shape and features or quite regal.

plover

(This photo I have put through a cartoon filter to give it an illustration-type effect), but standing like that, he looks like an old “grandfather” pelican. So cute!

Pelicans can find the most amazing places to perch. Places peculiar only to them.

pelican on poleA place for quiet, reflective thought and “far away from the madding crowd!” to quote the title of a movie.
Pelicans on a light

(Above) A place to visit with selective friends.

catching up on gossip

Or the community meeting place to catch up on lake gossip. I’m sure no one could get paid enough to clean that jetty!

Roger misses out on fish2_DAP_Glamour

Last of all, if you’re lucky you can get a free snack if you are fast. Pelican Feeding is a tourist attraction at the little seaside town called ‘The Entrance’ on the ocean side of the lake. Not only do the pelicans get fed each day, the Australian Seabird Rescue also looks out for their welfare.

 

Australian Seabird Rescue is a grass-roots community group with a passion for coastal wildlife rescue and conservation. – See more at: http://seabirdrescue.org/#sthash.nILympUj.dpuf
These amazing people rescue and protect shorebirds, marine turtles and raise awareness about the human impact on the environment.
This majestic fellow (below) visits a neighbour of ours. He walks right into their garden and stands at the foot of the steps waiting for his hand out. They have long memories!
matthew magpie_DAP_Glamour2-1

I would love to hear from you and your stories and experiences with these amazing birds.

Leave me a message!

Marilyn