Pelican brief
I've always had a soft spot for Brown Pelicans. They seem to defy gravity when they launch their heavy (up to 15 lbs!) bellies into the air. And they look rather comical with their short, stubby legs and fat pouches under their long bills (not unlike my uncle Teddy, but I digress).
But not everyone is thrilled with pelicans. They are a big nuisance to fisherman, by hanging around the fishing piers and stealing their catch. Losing one fish to a bird is not a catastrophe. The real problem arises when the pelicans get hooked themselves, or get tangled in fishing line - they can get seriously hurt.
There's a Conservancy group in Naples that rehabilitates wounded pelicans, but it's like putting a band-aid on bullet wounds. There should be some resolution to the fisherman-pelicans controversy...Maybe we need to put up a sign: "No pelicans allowed on fishing pier". Think it will work?
10 comments:
une manifestation de pelicans. ils reclament quoi, plus de poissons à la cantine ? tres belle photo
a demonstration of pelicans. they claim what, more fish with the canteen? very beautiful photograph
The Pelican Brief!?.. I wish I were so lucky to portray so many beautiful birds if any. As I said once you are damned lucky to live in Naples. And we are fortunate to have a little window to peep on paradise lost. By the way, I like your Kafka quotes and definitely all of Coen Brothers' movies.
Rewinding on your past photographs, I love the icon in the corner of that garden, the father and son over by the beach and the weird bird spreading wings in front of golf course mirror. Objects in the art market are great too. Greetings from Barcelona!
your title is most amusing! One of my favorite recent films is Winged Migration....there's some awesome footage of pelicans toward the end of the film....they really are amazing creatures!
Oh, I loved "Winged Migration" too! I relate to birds more than other animals, so I'm always drawn to photos of them. Too bad pelicans are pests like our Canadian geese.
Glad you found Rauf's blog. He's amazing.
I like so much your photos with birds! The one with the heron...i'm still jealous. I have some shots which will come on my DP blog one of these days...
Pelicans and Painted storks are my favourites Isabella, I love observing them. Funny chaps. I like them because they are a lot like me. They do things without any purpose. Perhaps what I write in my blogs makes you think that I am a very serious person. I am not. I am as crazy and as silly as these birds. Suddenly one chap takes off goes for a big round flight comes back and sits still brooding as though he's been sitting there in that position for years. Some flap their huge wings and about to take off, decide against it and sit still for long period without batting an eyelid.
We are into some serious problems Isabella, Due to global warming, this year their arrival is delayed. I am told by the villages that they are coming in small groups. They seem to be a confused lot. A little girl called Sunita plucking peanuts told me that there should have been lots of them by now, Don't know what is holding them she said. its global warming which is confusing them. the place is Kokkrabellur, a remote village in the state of Karnataka. Bellur is the name of the village and Kokkra is bird in kannada language. it means bird village. The villagers are more understanding and they live with them and never disturb them. I haven't posted their pictures as yet. I am going to the village again next week. Its about 400 kilometers from my city of Chennai.
I have a soft spot for pelicans as well and am always photographing them.
Olivier - obviously, being French, the first thing you thought of is "pelicans on strike" (manif);-)))
Carlos and Ruth - thanks for visiting, I'll leave a comment on your blogs
Chris & Deb - will make a point of seeing the movie (hopefully can rent it this week-end). Thanks!
Lavender - lol, don't forget the grant to study the negative effects of the traumatic stress disorder on the persecuted pelicans...
Alice - I will look forward to seeing the herons on your site
Linda - where do you find pelicans - Texas, Paris or Provence? You know, I'm joking ;-)
Rauf - I enjoyed your self-portrait. Now, whenever I see your name, I will make a mental association with a Painted Stork, gracefully soaring in the sky (somehow, I cannot imagine you as a waddling pelican ;-)))
I'm looking forward to your reports from Kokkrabellur.
another great capture!
someone should invent pelican friendly fishing line..
Wonderful photo! I really love pelicans and sometimes one will get up this far, or so I've heard, they come up so rarely that I've never actually seen one.
Post a Comment