“Hey Watch This!”

Yesterday afternoon I saw a brown pelican fishing in the salt marsh when suddenly another pelican came swooping in with the apparent intention of impressing his friend with an amazing dive move! In the last photo, as the pair are floating along down the marsh, he looks like he is saying to the spectator…”So, what did ya think of that?! Pretty cool right?!”

Sadly, I do not think the display had the desired effect as his friend seemed less then impressed and in fact never even changed expression. I, however, was quite impressed…but I suppose in pelican world what I think doesn’t count for much!

40 thoughts on ““Hey Watch This!””

monisertel on March 7, 2013 at 1:12 pm said:

Hi Phil,
stunning series, your pictures are amazing!
Wish you a nice Friday,
moni

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- Phil Lanoue on March 7, 2013 at 6:58 pm said:
  
  Thanks very much moni I’m happy you like these.
  Hope you enjoy your upcoming weekend!
  
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janmasyn on March 7, 2013 at 1:21 pm said:

Amazing Phil, excellent job.

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- Phil Lanoue on March 7, 2013 at 6:58 pm said:
  
  Thanks Jan I appreciate it.
  
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einfachtilda on March 7, 2013 at 1:23 pm said:

How beautifully and we come back the winter 😦

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- Phil Lanoue on March 7, 2013 at 6:59 pm said:
  
  Ich bin sehr glücklich Ihnen diese Fotos, ich danke Ihnen sehr
  
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lylekrahn on March 7, 2013 at 1:37 pm said:

Another great sequence. I absolutely think they would care what you thot!

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- Phil Lanoue on March 7, 2013 at 7:02 pm said:
  
  Thanks for checking these out and glad you like them.
  Just got back from the marsh, there had to be 20 or so pelicans out there and would you believe not a single one came over to say hello?!? They were too busy fishing. 😕
  
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adinparadise on March 7, 2013 at 2:05 pm said:

Wow! Fantastic shots, Phil. 🙂

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- Phil Lanoue on March 7, 2013 at 7:02 pm said:
  
  I’m happy you enjoyed these Sylvia! 🙂
  
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Gunta on March 7, 2013 at 2:24 pm said:

Perhaps he lost points in the nose dive?

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- Phil Lanoue on March 7, 2013 at 7:03 pm said:
  
  I believe the great blue heron gave him only a 7.5 But that’s how those herons are… 😕
  
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pixelspielerei on March 7, 2013 at 3:36 pm said:

“So, what did ya think of that?! Pretty cool right?!” *lol

I’m very impressed! Really great photos!

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- Phil Lanoue on March 7, 2013 at 7:04 pm said:
  
  Thanks very much for your kind words and I’m glad you liked the pelican pics!
  
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jimbey on March 7, 2013 at 3:56 pm said:

…. I just happened to do the very same thing last weekend! I was hiking along with a friend, and caught my foot on a root. Of course, I didn’t call it “an amazing dive move”. I called it “a face plant”. Same one-point landing, though.

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- Phil Lanoue on March 7, 2013 at 7:05 pm said:
  
  Two weeks ago I came very close to falling into the swamp face first with the camera around my neck.
  Good thing the alligators don’t care for electronics.
  
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pviette on March 7, 2013 at 5:18 pm said:

I must say he looks a little smug in the last picture, so maybe he did care what you thought.

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- Phil Lanoue on March 7, 2013 at 7:07 pm said:
  
  I’m not sure he did care. But I saw several again today and they were not particulary social. Sometimes they are overly friendly and would accept a ride on your car if offered. 🙂
  
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Charlie@Seattle Trekker on March 7, 2013 at 8:11 pm said:

Great photos, and ver informative.

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- Phil Lanoue on March 9, 2013 at 9:44 am said:
  
  Thanks very much. Glad you liked these!
  
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dinajohnston on March 7, 2013 at 10:08 pm said:

Great action shots! At first it looked like they were playing leap frog.

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- Phil Lanoue on March 9, 2013 at 9:45 am said:
  
  Ha! Yes it does look like that! Thanks very much Dina!
  
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Garden Walk Garden Talk on March 7, 2013 at 10:21 pm said:

They are a great set of images. I must say, you get the birds with the funniest hairdos. These two have such a cute yellow pom pom.

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- Phil Lanoue on March 9, 2013 at 9:46 am said:
  
  I’m happy you enjoyed these photos! If you think those hairdos are funny wait until you see the pelicans I have upcoming. Think a ‘Mohawk’. 😀
  
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Charissa on March 7, 2013 at 11:21 pm said:

Haha – a fun game of leap bird. Great set!

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- Phil Lanoue on March 9, 2013 at 9:49 am said:
  
  Leap Bird indeed! 😀 Thanks!
  
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Utasflow on March 8, 2013 at 3:45 am said:

Crash Pilot 🙂

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- Phil Lanoue on March 9, 2013 at 9:49 am said:
  
  They really do crash! 🙂
  
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Amy on March 8, 2013 at 1:13 pm said:

It was a great take off and a landing. Though his friend was not impressed, he had fun! And, we all are all impressed 🙂 Thanks to you, Phil!

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- Phil Lanoue on March 9, 2013 at 9:51 am said:
  
  I thought it looked quite impressive but obviously his friend did not think so. Oh well, they can continue on with their competition and the best part is that they can also be catching fish while competing!
  
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Chillbrook on March 8, 2013 at 1:19 pm said:

Very cute! I was impressed Phil, by the dive and with your pictures! 🙂

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- Phil Lanoue on March 9, 2013 at 9:51 am said:
  
  Well I’m very happy you enjoyed these Adrian, thanks!
  
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Dusty Roads on March 8, 2013 at 9:12 pm said:

Very cute and impressive. I just love the way you catch such unique shots of birds doing all sorts of crazy things

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- Phil Lanoue on March 9, 2013 at 9:52 am said:
  
  Thank you very much, I’m so glad you enjoyed these pelican photos! That’s a huge part of the fun in it for me, catching those wacky bird moments! 🙂
  
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Kate on March 9, 2013 at 12:53 pm said:

Those are some seriously funny shots! Pelicans are so silly and awkward looking birds to begin with, but these shots just kinda seal the deal.

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- Phil Lanoue on March 11, 2013 at 2:40 pm said:
  
  Thanks so much Kate, yes the pelicans are big goofy birds and I always enjoy watching their antics!
  
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Bella Remy Photography on March 9, 2013 at 11:03 pm said:

This is absolutely hysterical ! I’m thinking of Tom Cruise in Top Gun doing some low fly-bys. Fabulous how his friend was completely non responsive.

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- Phil Lanoue on March 11, 2013 at 2:41 pm said:
  
  There are pretty funny, those big goofy birds! I also am surprised his friend totally ignored the flying demonstration.
  
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Sid Dunnebacke on March 11, 2013 at 9:21 pm said:

Oh my goodness, Phil, that’s a fabulous series of shots. The showmanship and the indifference are equally marvelous.

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- Phil Lanoue on March 13, 2013 at 9:38 am said:
  
  Thanks a million Sid, I’m very happy you enjoyed these photos!
  
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