Pelicans doing the Can Can dance!
This is a series of photos taken in Corolla, NC on the Outer Banks (A long stretch of North Carolina islands stretching from Virginia to South Carolina).
Coming in at 10-17 lbs, you would think the Pelican would not be so inclined to take to the skies, but don't let it's size and bulky, almost clumsy, body fool you. They are one of the strongest and most beautifully graceful birds in flight! Masters of flight, in fact. They are capable of dive bombing from great heights with such precision, it defies logic.
With a wing span of 5 feet, they are a noticeable presence gliding the skies. It's almost as if they are soaring on cruise control.
Some pretty cool facts I found about Pelicans:
They can live up to 43 years!
The pouch on the Pelican can hold more food than its belly.
A collective grouping of Pelicans is called a "squadron".
Pelicans are very ancient birds! In fact, the basic features of all pelicans haven't changed much in the last 30-40 million years.
Unlike other birds that use their body's warmth to incubate their eggs, Pelicans use their webbed feet.
The Brown Pelican was so endangered in the 1960s and 1970s due to DDT (https://www.epa.gov/ingredients-used-pesticide-products/ddt-brief-history-and-status), but has made an impressive comeback in recent years.
The sweetest fact of all is that the male Pelicans attract females by choosing a nest site and convincing her to build a nest together!
Pelicans have no nostrils and actually breathe through their beaks.
There are 8 different species of Pelicans living on coastlines all over the world.
Due to Pelicans social appetite, they really enjoy being around other pelicans and love to socialize with other birds.
The largest species of Pelican is the Dalmatian (also very rare) which has a wing span of 11 feet!
All photos original works by @youhavewings. Hope you enjoy these pelicans as I did.