- Delores Knowles
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- Added 07 Feb 2008
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©Delores J. Knowles 2008 -- American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) 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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Kathie Nichols 11 Feb 2008
Stunning photography Delores! wowKwabena Poku 11 Feb 2008
Excellent workstephanie atlee 10 Feb 2008
What a handsome guy...great shotpatrick hodson 10 Feb 2008
wow nice shot,fab focus.Booker T. Williams, Jr. 10 Feb 2008
AMAZING SHOT AND COLOR ! ! !