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Male American Pelican
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Male American Pelican

by Judy Poole

Gallery: AvianPosted May 18, 201042 views3 comments
Nikon D80, 300 mm lens, SS 1/1000, F 5.6, ISO 200, exposure compensation 0, hand-held, St. Vrain State Park, Longmont, CO. CC welcome.

Comments

3 comments
Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on May 18, 2010 at 2:18 PM
There is a story here. What was the cause of the growth on the pelican's upper mandible? His head looks like a trainwreck.
Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments
Comment posted by John Tobias on May 18, 2010 at 2:39 PM
Nice shot, got good detail in the light areas. It is my understanding the protrubence on the upper mandeble is associated with breeding, that males develop these knobs during the mating season. I could be wrong, but that is what I have been told. Thanks for sharing.
Registered on September 12, 2009, 2120 Posts, 6455 Comments
Comment posted by Judy Poole on May 19, 2010 at 2:46 AM
From what I could find, John is right. The male develops this during breeding season. I watched him follow a female around for about an hour. She was larger with blue eyes and had a bill without the fibrous plate.
Registered on November 4, 2009, 10 Posts, 2 Comments