
Pelis-can

fly in formation.

The birds in the back coast,

on the updraft from the birds in the front.

They swap positions regularly,

so no one gets tired.

Cooperation is a powerful force,

and much more fun than fighting.

Cheers to you from the pelis who can cooperate~
Because of you, people can see every detail of this bird, just as if they were side by side. What a beautiful bird. Thank you, Cindy!
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Awww……. Thank you Jennie! You make me happy I posted. Take good care my friend დ
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Pelicans were a happy part of my growing up years in Florida. But I never knew about their protective instincts of cooperation. Thanks for sharing.
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Don’t you love how nature is already able to teach us something new! Happy you enjoyed them Dor & Happy New Year! დ
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You do wonders, Cindy. Thank you my friend.
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A magnificent collection, Cindy. There is freedom in flight!
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Thank you Rebecca. I would love to be so free! დ
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Cindy, wondrous commentary on cooperation. Naturally, the birds can give us a lesson we need today.
During my morning walks I listen for the sounds of the geese flying in formation as they migrate for the winter. I just love it when I hear them, and I wonder whether they follow the same rules your pelicans do with changing positions in flight? Makes sense.
I used to hear them every morning with large groups, but now it seems there are only a few stragglers…but even a group of six flies in formation. Amazing creatures.
Hope your twin boys love the birds as much as you do!
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Your morning walks sound magical Sheila. I would love to hear and see your geese. So much is being learned about how/why birds fly in formation, how they navigate thousands of miles, and how they can fly so far and survive. It is all so complex and fascinating. The twins are learning the names of all The Holler birds and wait by the French doors in the mornings for the roadrunner to come stare them down! Happy & Healthy New Year to you and yours Sheila დდ
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The twins sound magical!!! We have had Covid rob us of our family time this Christmas as it has so many other families for the past two years. It gets closer and closer with each wave until it finally strikes our hearts.
Happy and Healthy Safe New year to you and yours, too!
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I am so sorry to hear this Sheila. Is everyone in your family okay? Sending love to all of you. ❤ ❤
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Oh, Cindy…I’m afraid not. These have been trying times for us for the last week – our son and daughter-in-law have been sick with the virus for over a week, and our little Ella got it this week. Needless to say, we have been devastated. Our son has had 3 negative tests this week but our daughter-in-law and Ella remain ill. We took food to them last night – they have put a little stool outside the kitchen window where we can leave things and talk to them through the window. Ella was in good spirits – as she always is – but doesn’t understand why we can’t visit. As my grandfather used to say, Hard times done came upon us.
But we have to hope all will be well. Pretty and I tested twice and have been negative both times. Neither of us has symptoms. Thank you for asking and for your loving support.
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Oh no! I am so sorry. So scary for all of you. I am so afraid for the younger children who are not qualified for vaccination. You must be so too. You know my twin grandsons are the same age and in the same situation. I am frustrated that our policy makers are ignoring the youngest amongst us who are so vulnerable due to immature immune systems. I hear more of the little ones are getting sick now with omicron. I am so glad you and Pretty have been spared. My thoughts and hopes are with all of you. If everybody is hanging in there after a week, that is very hopeful and good news, as is the fact that your son is recovering. So VERY sorry Sheila. This is going to be happening to lots of families over the next two months.
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beautiful photos. They look like a fighter squadron.
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And they have ammo!!! 🙂 🙂
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Locked and loaded.
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Yes, we could do a much better job of flying in formation and cooperating, for sure!
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We certainly could დ
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Cindy, what a glorious set of photos. It seems impossible that they could fly with that huge beak out front, but nature seems to have it figured out. Happy new year.
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It does seem incredible doesn’t it. Nature never ceases to amaze. Happiest New Year to you my friend and thanks for stopping by დ
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My dad was part of the recovery team of the Aleutian Canada Goose (now called the Aleutian Cackling Goose)—a subspecies of the familiar Canada Goose. I’ve read that geese also switch positions as the lead goose has to work the hardest. They fly from the Aleutian Islands (Alaska) to the Central Valley of California and sometimes to Mexico during migration.
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What a very cool Dad! I imagine you have some wonderful memories of trips with him. Bird migrations are simply incredible and so complex. We are only just beginning to understand all the complex interplay of factors that enable to carry out these amazing feats every year. Birds are incredible and I love the name Cackling Goose! So descriptive დ
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Pingback: Formation Flying~ — – Echoes in the Mist
Cheers to you & thank you too!! დ
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A splendid photo story
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You are a kind friend Derrick. Happy New Year to you and yours! დ
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Reciprocated, Cindy.
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Beautiful photos, and a good reminder too.
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Merci beaucoup mon ami დ
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Looking at one close, the bird is more majestic than I imagined them before. Great pictures of them flying in formation and some even close to see details. I loved watching them fly in formation when I lived down in Fl.
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I have seen the Florida pelis in formation too. Beautiful sight. Hope you Have an Awesome New Year my friend დ
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Amazing! Not their flying formation but your fantastic shots!
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Ahhh….. so thoughtful and so appreciated. Cheers to you დ
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I love pelis, they always look so pleased with themselves.
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YES!! They do! They look like they are smiling 🙂 🙂
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Gorgeous pelicans, love their stunning coloring and eye! Great flight shots too with the beautiful coastline!! I love watching them glide along the beach and waves. 😊
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Thank you Donna. Watching pelicans soar is good for one’s blood pressure! 🙂
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Thanks for the beautiful images of the pelicans coasting along the ocean, Cindy. Makes me want to take a beach vacation. Maybe we can learn from them to cooperate!
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Happy you enjoyed the birdies Brad & Happy and Healthy New Year to you my friend დ
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Thank you Cindy. Happy New Year!
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These are fantastic pictures, Cindy! Thanks for sharing them and Happy New Year!
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So nice of you and so appreciated too! Happy New Year to you დ
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Wow!!!
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✨❄⛄🎄🥂🕊💖🕊🥂🎄⛄❄✨
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Wonderful! I’ve never seen pelicans in the wild. The best I can do is St. James ‘ Park in London, so to see them in flight is magnificent. Thank you!
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The last time I was in St James Park, I had just returned from self driving South Africa. I toured the park, photographed a fox family stalking and playing, African Geese resting, and Egyptian Pelicans (that were a gift to a former King) swimming. I had this eerie and true sense I was still on safari in Central London!!
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You had some luck there! A wildlife safari indeed!
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❤ ❤
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Absolutely wonderful!
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Ahhh…….so appreciated. Thank you very much დ
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Awww….a fine example of peace on earth ☮️🙏
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Agreed. We need more peace on this earth! დ
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It was always a delight to watch the pelicans fly when we were in Mexico! Your captures and words are beautiful (and made me smile!).
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Your kind comment makes me smile. I am happy you experienced and enjoyed the pelicans in Mexico. Cheers to you დ
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Thank you and hope you have a very happy new year!
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Love the pics and the message of cooperation. Thanks Cindy!
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Thank you more for your very kind appreciation.
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One of the treats of spending time at the NC beaches is watching the pelicans fly overhead. So primitive in their appearance – but we especially like to see them diving for food off the beach.
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It is incredible to watch how skillfully they dive vertically into the sea and come out with lunch!! Happy you are able to experience this & cheer to you.
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Cindy, thank you for these wonderful photographs!
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You are most welcome Charles. I hope you Have A Healthy & Happy New Year my friend.
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Beautiful portraits of these pelicans, Cindy!
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Honored you think so. Thank you very much Lavinia.
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The B-52s of birddom. Good flyover!
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Just don’t annoy them or they may let their ammo loose on you! I ‘ve seen them do this!!
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I’m becoming convinced that animals of all kinds are higher on the evolutionary scale!
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I hear you and know Exactly what you mean!
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And I expect the ones in the back grow tired of looking at tail feathers, don’t they?!?
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Laughing…… I hadn’t thought of that!!! 😉
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Ever heard of “ground effect”? Pelicans use it to help glide just above the water. Precision flying there. Nice!
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How amazing. Thanks for teaching me something new!
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Cindy, what a beautiful collection of photos. Pelicans are my favourite bird and you have showcased them beautifully. Thanks for sharing.
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How lovely that pelis are your fav’s! I ❤ my friends who ❤ pelis!
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Nice post
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Grazie mille!
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What incredible birds and wonderful images. They don’t look like should be able to fly but they clearly do! Happy 2022 to you Cindy.
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They are a puzzle aren’t they. They look so odd, but are such amazing precision flyers and spectacular when they dive vertically into the sea and come up with a fish! Happy New Year Emma.
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Superb set of photos. Do Pelicans make a sound as they fly?
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Yes. There is the sounds of their wings which can be loud and their calls which can be also. Here are some samples:
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Very nice close up of the bird!! They look peaceful flying in formation.
The second photo is my favorite where they look like rockets.
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The wind flattens their tummies!!! They do look like rockets.
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Love the look of their faces… so serious, determined, yet goofy too. Animals bring us joy. 😃
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They are rather comically serious aren’t they! And you are so right. Animals are a total joy ❤
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It is surprise for me forever – how can they fly? They are looking funny in the flight, however they are flying!
Happy New Year!
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They are miracles of nature!!! Happy New Year Alexander.
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Stunning photos, Cindy. Was the boy lower left photo #5 waving to the birds?
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They look too heavy to fly, certainly to glide with winds folded.
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Yes, they do look too heavy, don’t they. The wonder lies in how they are able fly, and fish, so easily. Wishing only things good for you and your hubby in 2022 Charlotte დდ
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Thank you Cindy the same good wishes to you and all your lovely family 🤗
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The World and it’s people can learn a lot from the Pelicans. Beautiful post.
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That last photo especially 🙂
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Pelicans in flight are so awe-inspiring Cindy. I love your closeups too. Hugs on the wing.
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Hugs & Happy New Year flying back to you Teagan დ
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