Avian - 1st HM

The Heavy Skimmers

One of the largest flying birds, the pelicans are a treat to watch when they skim above water. Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary (INDIA) is one of the best places to photograph one of the species of pelicans, the magnificent Spot-billed Pelican which apparently are new entrants to this bird sanctuary and were earlier known to breed in a place called Kokkarebellur, approximately 50kms from here.

Though Ranganthittu attracts thousands of birds for nesting in winters, the pelicans probably gave it a skip fearing the presence of crocodiles in the river. Since pelicans need large twigs and branches to make their nest, they often try to pick some that float on the river. And because they are heavy birds, they have to unfortunately land in water to pick up the twigs and fly off. It is during these vulnerable moments that a crocodile sneaks up from inside the water and grab them before they take off.

These pelicans are known to be great swimmers and in places where they are not threatened by predators like crocodiles, they don’t have to skim the water to drink either. But here in Ranganthittu, one can see these birds fly just above the water surface and lower its head and just skim the beak in the water and collect water in its throat pouch to quench their thirst and also to carry it to their young ones.

When: January 2015
Equip: Canon 5D Mark III and Canon 500 f4
Fstop: f5
Shutter: 1/1250 sec.
ISO: 500