EX-Z3
ƒ/4.8
17.4 mm
1/250

These two pelicans seemed to be a couple, and they coasted overhead each day on a fairly regular schedule.

I have always been amazed at pelicans skimming over the ocean surface on a wisp of air (thermal updrafts near the coast?).

When I was swimming, I saw these pelicans 10 feet away…. gliding just off the water, and I noticed that their feathered wing tips ripple as they give glancing touches to the surface, as if tickling the ocean.

20 responses to “Feather Tickle”

  1. It’s interesting I didn’t realize that pelicans paired in a stable fashion. But google doesn’t have much on the subject.

    "ground effect" is the more proper term for how they float above the water.

    http://www.avweb.com/news/airman/185905-1.html

  2. thanks for the link…. it also mentions wingtip vortices… perhaps that is what I was seeing as the tips dipped near the water?

  3. beautifull… I saw them doing that off San Juan del Cabo, there were hawks and whales too!

  4. Beautiful shot Steve! I fav’d! 😀

  5. i see the imprint of beating wings in the clouds, great photo

  6. It neat to see the pelicans paired like, but what really holds my attention in this photo is the detail of the sky behind them.

  7. Interesting about their regularity… I see that a lot. Seals, seagulls, songbirds etc etc, following really reliable time schedules. Nice descriptions of your experience with pelicans.

  8. Beautiful photograph!

  9. A group called The animals went in 2 by 2 has been created for photos just like this one. Please consider adding this image to the pool. Thanks:))

  10. WOW !!!! wonderful capture !!!!
    (1-2-3)

  11. I like. Looks like they are in orbit. Great catch. 123

  12. thanks y’all… I just noticed that I took this with my 3MP pocket camera. Not much of a zoom on that one.

  13. Perfect title! Very nice shot…

  14. Amazing capture! Very nicely done.

  15. Nice capture – I like it although the composition is central. Well done.

    Seen in "A" Class/post 1-comment 2 . Comment on any two please, (?)

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