Monday 21 August 2017

THROUGH MY LENS - Amsterdam Zoo

For Through My Lens this week, I am showing you the Great White Pelican which I photographed at the the Artis Royal Zoo in Amsterdam. Male Great White Pelicans are slightly larger than females and both have a huge wingspan of up to 3 metres wide.





The Great White Pelican’s huge, long bill/beak is used to scoop up fish from the water. The pouch under the beak is stretchy and can hold several litres of water. As the Pelican pushes its bill underwater, the lower bill bows out, creating a large pouch which fills with water and fish. As the bird lifts its head, the pouch contracts, forcing out the water but retaining the fish which are swallowed whole.




Many thanks for visiting and also for leaving comments.

13 comments:

  1. Wow! I have never seen one close up. How cool!!! They are so interesting. Your pictures are really good. They have tiny little eyes on their beaks.

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  2. Fine looking fellows.... and they look like 747'z when they fly over.

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  3. Dearest Margaret; Such awesome Great White Pelicans; and wow, very wide wingspan♪
    It is nice to read your thorough explanation; how useful their long bills or beaks are♧♧♧
    Have a wonderful new week, we had a good rain today with some thunderstorms p;-)
    Sending Lots of Love and Hugs from Japan to my Dear friend, xoxo Miyako*

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  4. Hello, nice photos of the Great White Pelicans. Happy Monday, enjoy your day and the week ahead.

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  5. Just beautiful! Love the close-ups!

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  6. Spectacular photos

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  7. Margaret, I love your photos of the pelicans. Nice to be able to get that close to them. Have a great week. Sylvia D.

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  8. Great details, I love pelicans and these guys are fabulous

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  9. Wow! Your Pelicans are so different to ours. Great series!

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