Low Flying Pelican

[Paul T]

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

I very rarely photograph these big beautiful birds as they are so common in the area where I live. In this case I couldn't resist. The ability of this bird to fly so low to the water is simply phenomenal. If the Pelican inadvertently tilts to one side or the other it will certainly have an unexpected bath. The ability to fly so low is apparently known as "Ground effect". I guess these boys & girls inherently know the science of aerodynamics.

 

[Oztours]

Nice shot. Now if they know so much about aerodynamics, why don't they land on their belly like a sea plane. My logic tells me it would be a smoother landing than their feet stretched out approach. Don't worry about submerged logs, they are just one of life's obstacles. Probably just as well I can't fly.

 

[Icarus]

Lovely shot. I've seen them flap and just dip their wings in the water and keep on flying.

 

[Kathy G]

Great shot Paul

 

[Yezdi]

Awesome shot Paul...

 

[Callie]

Oz pellies rule, they are beautiful!

 

[gordon_g]

Great shot.. Not a lot of room for error there.

 

[DRwyoming]

Great shot, nicely done!

 

[Venkatesh VT]

Nice shot .I have seen the flying low in India & it looks pretty cool