Silly Mr Pelican Photo

Photographer’s Note

I wanted to name this shot “This is where I hide my cash when I am in Key West” just because that is how the poses of the two birds struck me, I have not had any bad experiences like that here.

What he is doing is drying his feathers. It took maybe 10 minutes and he held his wings into the wind and preened his feathers. The Cormorant also helped with the feathers to Mr. Pelican’s dismay, and he let him know it too.

In addition to the wild night life here in Key West there is also an awesome display of regular old natural wild life in the abundant marshes and along the beaches. Hopefully there will be a fine chicken or rooster story here soon.

I will close with this limerick purloined from the internet:

A wonderful bird is the Pelican.
His beak can hold more than his belly can.
He can hold in his beak
Enough food for a week!
But I'll be darned if I know how the hellican?

andante, johnmcc, Waylim, sevy, Budapestman, vasilpro, fulvio52, hispic, ribeiroantonio, Longroute, Royaldevon, Kielia, gunbud, Charo, bakes888, dareco, Didi, mafegan has marked this note useful

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Waylim (10717) 2009-03-11 20:55

Greg,
Really nice moment of the two of a kind, it does look like they are having a conversation, casually. Kind of reminding me of the situation in the rocker room, one is done and dressed, just waiting, the other one is still drying up and they are talking about football or something of that sort. Kind of funny but it makes me think of that. It looks like that pelican is asking, "Do my underarm stink?" the other one is like, "Beats me, Dude, why do ask me that question?"
Any way, Really good details of the plumage of these two, and expression, if bird have an expression. Thanks
Way

sevy (13206) 2009-03-12 1:00

Hello Greg,

Nice nature shot with a good composition but almost a good poses between the 2 birds. We could imagine a kind of discussion between the 2.

Yves.

Budapestman (41488) 2009-03-12 3:43

Hi Greg,
Superb nature photo from the "weekday" of a pelican, the cormorant is watching the "big washing" of the pelican apathetically.:) The composition is very lovely, the lights and clarity are splendid. Have a nice day!
George

pablominto (40364) 2009-03-12 3:47

Hello Greg,

This is a fine capture!
Not "only" two birds, but two birds actually doing something of interest, hehehe...
They are funny, and the situation is well documented with fine details!

Greetings,
Pablo -

vasilpro (8374) 2009-03-12 9:17

Hello Greg,
Beautiful photo with the two birds looking each other, nice colors and details.
Well done,
Regards, Vasilis.

fulvio52 (8314) 2009-03-12 12:19

Hi, Greg.
Lovely composition, I really like the painting-like type of effect, due (I assume) to the exposure in combination with mega-zoom. 340mm... man, that lens must be heavy to carry around! Good job, buddy. Have fun, I'll see ya later.
Fulvio.

hispic (7399) 2009-03-13 18:17

Hi Greg,
Very humorous shot, the pelican preening his feathers and the cormorant watching it by his side has been exquisitely shot with a telephoto. The light in the late afternoon adds warmth to the image.
Have a nice weekend, Hisashi

ribeiroantonio (21823) 2009-03-13 20:55

I can see very often the cormorant doing exactly that and I even have a picture with three Cormorants drying their feathers in Botswana. But a pelican I do not remember having seen one in such position. I believe the cormorant on the picture is asking the pelican what he is doing!!! Well done.
Antonio

Longroute (9133) 2009-03-14 1:22

Hello Greg,

this is really a fine capture!
A couple of funny birds chatting together! How lovely!
And the pelican seems the boss, with an assertive manner, while the cormoran seems shy. Good colours and sharpness and a very good framing. Well done, my friend!
Have a nice week end,
Donato

Royaldevon (5888) 2009-03-14 6:12

Hello Greg,

The interplay of these two birds is what makes this shot so appealing! There definitely seems to be a conversation going between them!
Excellent textural details.

Have a good w/e,
Bev :-)

Kielia (8367) 2009-03-15 10:35

Hi Greg,
amusing and great capture of the two birds, I believe they are knowing what they are doing! Great light and very fine details. And a charming and humorous note. This composition is really a pleasure! TFS!
Warm regards
Harriet

gunbud (27741) 2009-03-15 18:42

Hi Greg,
Wonderful nature shot of this big king of the harbor drying himself out for a night on the town.
Very nice clear color and sharpness to go along with your fine poem which tickled me.
Regards, Tom

fanni (8733) 2009-03-20 2:01

Hello Greg,
I like this funny shot :) Very good capture! I especially liked the cormorant which looks like a human being (not literally of course), I can almost guess its thoughts and emotions!
very nice moment, it made me smile :)
Best regards,
Elena

Charo (31665) 2009-03-27 15:52

Hello Greg,
A very nice couple in open competecia (I guess) for the fish.
Excellent capture with good details and colors. Good weekend.
Best regards,
Charo

bakes888 (18055) 2009-03-28 19:23

Hi Greg. This shot leads itself to all sorts of captions, maybe a best caption contest ;-). I love the way the cormorant looks on. Well captured with god sharpness and colours. Thanks for sharing.
Have a good Sunday, Paul.

dareco (17100) 2009-04-03 8:21

You've done really well shooting birds, once again your timing was great!! I really like the poses, and the note to go with it. The lighting and colors are very nice. TFS

bracasha75 (21900) 2009-04-16 10:58

Helo Greg
I love to ,if i only could, to see this bird live
The pelicans are sea friends and they are always hungry ,right?
TFS
Cheers,Braca
PS Key west...........one day ........!!!!!!!!

Didi (35920) 2009-04-23 16:42

Hi Greg
Very nice catch with a good selective setting.
A decisive moment, with the pelican action and the expression of cormorant.
Best regards

adores (15447) 2009-05-22 13:53

Hi Greg!
They are just perfect together!Seems they're really talking, it was captured on the right moment. Very good detail and colours.

zmey (7244) 2009-06-05 8:49

It's a funny one, Greg!

With compliments
Kristaps

ku-fotak-chtik (1132) 2009-07-02 5:30

Nice picture, specially the composition of these two birds :) and good note too.

Regards Jiri

danyy (68422) 2009-07-09 14:35

Belle scène animale, Greg....
un peu de cacassité. Une photo qui a su conserver le naturel des couleurs et des lumières.
Bien cédrée.
Regards.
Daniel.

Urs (2680) 2009-07-15 4:57

Hi Greg

That's an excellent bird shot, sharp and crisp. Looks like that 80-400 is a perfect birdy. You managed light and colors very well and DOF is fine. Well done

Friendly regards
Urs