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White Pelicans

Friday, 27. March 2009, 02:18:26

,

On my way home from the cat food store (where I can buy in bulk), I saw this pile of pelicans resting on a fresh water pond. I also noticed one of them was wearing a number, 801, on his wing which I assume is some kind of Fish & Wildlife tag. Naturally I had to stop and take pictures, and when I looked at them on the computer noticed a strange thing in one pelican's mouth - maybe his tongue?


And of course one of them had to be doing this funny little dance off to the side.

Dog CommunicationSandhill Crane Family

Comments

San 27. March 2009, 04:28

It's very odd whatever is in that pelican's mouth. Somehow it doesnt look like a tongue. Weird. I've only ever seen one pelican up here in Vancouver, I think it was lost.

Keith Bates 27. March 2009, 06:10

Great photos Lois, as always!

We often get them in the creek at the back of our place. Our pelicans hunt in packs. They will swim in a circle, presumably rounding up fish under the water, then suddenly on some cue, they will all duck down, emerging a minute later looking very pleased with themselves.

Cheryl 27. March 2009, 13:06

I love them! :smile: I get to see piles of Canadian Geese on the river beside the highway...not nearly as cool looking as these guys! :heart:

Allan 27. March 2009, 18:50

Not the tongue, methinks. But then what - dunno :eyes:

Lois 27. March 2009, 19:44

Maybe a fish? There seemed to be a lot of empty shells washed up on the shore, so maybe it would be some type of shellfish.

True Peaceful Dwelling 27. March 2009, 20:52

:confused: An eel of some sort? Is the pelican in question the one fourth from the left in the first photo?

Adele 27. March 2009, 20:57

Their beaks!! :faint: Just amazing.

Lois 28. March 2009, 00:29

Frog, I think third from the left.

True Peaceful Dwelling 28. March 2009, 01:24

The reason I asked is that the 4th fr L looks like he might have something wrapped around his bill.

studio41 29. March 2009, 06:21

boy the mouth on the one makes me wonder if he's related to the goose that hissed at me today! yikes!!

Anna 29. March 2009, 10:48

Wonderful series, Lois! :up: And I agree with Frog, this is not a tongue but must be a kind of an eel... or a snake..? Do pelicans eat snakes? :confused:

Lois 29. March 2009, 11:34

Frog - Here is a close up of the first four on the left. Some of them seem to have a large bump on the top of their beaks, about midway.

Jill - a friend of mine suggested a goose or two might help protect my chickens. I'm going to the feed store tomorrow to see if they have them yet!
Anna - they might very well eat snakes. I was standing with some ladies and we were watching a heron, he picked a snake out of the water and flew away with it in his mouth, if herons eat them, probably pelicans too.

True Peaceful Dwelling 29. March 2009, 22:09

Ahh...thanks, Lois! Now that we've solved the "eel/snake" mystery, what in the world are those bumps about?!!:sherlock: :sherlock: :sherlock:

Eric 30. March 2009, 03:55

Great picures Lois! :up: It's interesting what the pelican is doing with its bill in the third one.

Mark Jones 30. March 2009, 14:00

They are really cool birds. :D I keep thinking that i could lay in their beaks and use it as a hammock as they are so big! :lol:

Lois 30. March 2009, 17:49

Thanks Eric! They are so interesting to watch!! I never saw white pelcians before this year.

Thanks Mark - you would have to catch one first! :lol: :lol:

Neil 30. March 2009, 18:20

Great photos. It could be its tongue, as it would have to be long enough to force out the water and swallow the fish its caught.

Talking of pelicans eating snakes, the one in London (St. James Park) Ive blogged about have eaten pigeons and Ive heard ducks and even squirrels!

studio41 31. March 2009, 06:34

let us know if that works! I'd be happy to send you one of our hissy fitters :smile:

Anonymous 29. May 2009, 04:40

jo-anne in east van writes:

Just saw a flock of 6 of these guys near Jericho Beach tonight. They flew right over us then landed in the water in front - very exciting! I'm pretty sure it's the same group as yours as one had a very noticeable bump on the top of his beak as well.

Lois 31. May 2009, 01:25

Quite the international travellers!!

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