World Bird & Watery Wednesday ~ Pelican Rising

Tumby Bay, South Australia, has a substantial pelican population

due to a great number of caravanning early retirees fishing from

the delightfully long jetty.

Proud pelican rising from the water in a perfect take-off.

Woops, maybe not quite so perfect . . .

Sinking fast, if you do not bother to enlarge, at least enlarge this

one. Not a good look at all, this amphibian is taking on water!

Another bounce and almost there . . .

One more, and bombs away!!!, but only just . . .

Yep, take-oof and landing are the most dangerous manoeuvres

when flying. Pelicans always look so cumbersome on take-off.

Landing is not such a problem, they just waterski and if it isn't

perfect, they just ruffle their feathers as a cover up.

BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY WEEKLY ~ 12 Masked Lapwing

Please scroll down for MY WORLD



Pre-dawn shot of Masked Lapwing, Vanellus miles,
you can just see the spur on his wing on the furthest
forward point of his wing.



in slightly better light. I like the way they call in
flight giving you time to look up.

Sleep

When sleep like stealthy thief

escapes into the night,

breathing the darkness deeply

like bird in restles flight

to roam beneath the stars

or moon, or absence of all light

chasing memories and hopes

in endless roundelay

the little worries of the coming day

Where does sleep hide

when she departs

why forsakes us in our need?

Oh fickle lady of the night

to come and shackle us by day

inopportunely shutting down

our senses in a busy town

with traffic roaring all around

and nowhere to be safely still

while she exerts her wayward will.

The Nest is Empty

The nest is empty now

the birds are flown

the joy of flight

their wings uplifting

life's unending journey

spurs them on to shoals

and dangers, happiness

and fears, through stormy seas

to light so blinding

that the senses swoon

What path awaits

in untried tumbling flight

where will their hearts

find haven after toil

we can but wish them well

*

The nest is empty now

while silence deafening

booming our senses stuns

the home is silent now

small chirping children's voices missing . . .