Formation Flying~

On By cindy knokeIn Birds, Conservation, HOLLER HAPPENINGS, MY PHOTOGRAPHS, REVERIES, Wild Life

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~

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215 thoughts on “Formation Flying~”

  2. Oh, lovely. Just before we left I saw a check line (not quite a ‘V’) of Canada Geese!
    Had to have been 30 or 40!

    A few years back while visiting Florida I got and up close an person photo of a Peli-can ‘hamming it up’ for the camera at the end of a peir.

    Cheers for a great 2022 to you two and two and Four-Ever GR8!

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  5. They are an amazing bird Cindy. It always amazes me that they all look exactly the same around the world…but different colors. Must have been the fish they eat 🤣. Great pictures dear lady, may there be many more for the new year 😀 ❤️ 🙏🏽 🦋 ✨ 🎇 💥 🌹 🍾 🍸 🌈 🕊 💫

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    1. They are amazing. I have seen them all over the world, and encountering them in distant places is like greeting an old friend. They are MUCH bigger to the south (everything is) and the most amazing diving/fishing pelicans I have ever seen were off the island of St. Croix. Happiest New Year to you Mark and I so look forward to sharing another virtual year with you my friend.
      https://www.animatedimages.org/data/media/519/animated-happy-new-year-image-0089.gif

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  7. I still remember how thrilled I was the first time I saw pelicans flying in formation like this! We were visiting friends who had a house at the beach (just north of Del Mar), and the pelicans flew right over the deck! It was awesome, and I love your photos of their formations and how they cooperate! Thank you!

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    1. When I was a child pelicans were relatively rare because DDT had made them endangered. Now the thrilling sight you are describing is something that can be witnessed often, which is a true blessing. I am happy you saw this and that it thrilled you. Stay safe & well my Kathy.

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  9. Wonderful fotos, thank you for sharing. You are right: cooperation is a powerful force, we always see this in spring when the migratory birds fly back in formation from the south and in autumn when they fly south. I wish you the best for 2022, Marie

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  10. The red bill stripes and the formation flying in these fantastic photos were both new to me.

    Love the contrast between the ungainly look of pelicans standing on land (or floating on the water surface) and the masterful grace of pelicans in flight.  It’s like the contrast between penguins waddling on land and penguins flying underwater.

    Reply

    1. You are so right in your comparison with penguins on land and in the water. This is also true of ungainly seals on land who are ballet dancers in the water. Also definitely true with boobies who are masters in the sky but have really bad landing gear!!! 😉

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  13. They are such beautiful creatures who are certainly smarter than we are most of the time. Outstanding shots of these birds. Hope you had a merry Christmas and wishing you the happiest of new years.

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  19. Until I was 11 years old, I was able to live next to a beach in Peru and the pelicans were the inescapable company because it was a fishing port. Their formations were like an army on the march when they came to the beach in search of food. Your incredible photos have brought back these memories. Greetings Cindy.

    Reply

    1. The close up shots in this post are Peruvian Pelicans taken in the coastal town of Coquimbo Chile. I have seen and photographed Peruvian Pelican in gorgeous Peru as well. Peruvian Pelicans are the King of pelicans. They are so richly colored. So brave. They are almost as tall as I am and not the least bit intimidated. I love them and your beautiful memories of wonderful Peru. We had been many times and hope to visit again soon. Happy New Year my friend დ

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  38. Beautiful photos, Cindy! I loved watching squadrons of pelicans flying in formation when I visited NorCal many years ago. In terms of cooperation, we humans could learn a thing or two from them. <3

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  41. Pingback: Formation Flying~ — (A gift to us, from Cindy. Beauty.) | Rethinking Life

  47. I’ve seen Eagles doing the same thing Cindy. The breeze comes off the water and is diverted upwards by the shoreline, giving uplift for our fine feathered friends! Many birds travel this way, saves on fuel!

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  49. Ahh and the pelican says, “Yes I can fly! I’m PeliCan not PeliCan’t and I need no pelichute.” Lol! Awesome my friend as always! (•‾⌣‾•)و ̑̑❤️❤️❤️

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