- Delores Knowles
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- Added 07 Mar 2008
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©Delores J. Knowles 2008 -- This American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) was considering what to have for breakfast. Should I fly out to deeper water for something larger or settle for these easy-to-reach smaller portions? Before leaving the warm waters of the south, breeding adults develop a horny knob on their bills. It’s believed the knobs serve a twofold purpose. They may signal members of the opposite sex that they are in the market for a mate, and they also serve as a target for other adults when they arrive at their northern breeding grounds and fight for territories. Fighting adults aim for these knobs and not the tender gular pouches that could cause fatal injury. Once eggs are laid, the knobs fall off. Photographed in Citrus County, Florida.
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John Fish 09 Mar 2008
very beautiful bird and art piece. perfectly createdLawrence Untermeyer 09 Mar 2008
Very well photographed; nice catch!Barry Huyett 09 Mar 2008
perfect pic!jamie winter 08 Mar 2008
great shotOlga van Dijk 08 Mar 2008
#1 for me dear Delores!! So beautiful!!