Interesting facts about the American White Pelican:
- The collective nouns for pelicans are "brief" "pod" "pouch" "scoop" and "squadron."
- They consume 4 pounds of food per day.
- AWPs scoop their food unlike the brown pelicans who plunge-dive.
- They sometimes work together to herd fish into shallow water.
- During breeding season adults grow a protrusion near the bill tip.
- One of the largest North American birds.
- Parents must provide approx. 150 pounds of food for their chicks from birth until they're ready to forage for themselves.
- The oldest known AWP was 23-1/2 years old and was banded in North Dakota in 1983.
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| I told you to stop tailgating, Junior! |
**The Warning**
Had a very upsetting morning on Saturday. Someone impersonating my son called my dad saying he was hurt and needed money--$1500 to be exact--said his lawyer would call later. The "lawyer" indeed called and asked for three $500 prepaid cards to be sent. Red flag! I was able to get in touch with my son and found he is okay. This ruse is called the Grandparents Scam, and there are many articles on the internet about it. It almost caused me to have a heart attack. My dad and stepmom were obviously upset by it also. Please be careful, y'all!
44 comments:
Well, first of all I love pelicans and can appreciate these photos - as soon as they sense I'm in the area they slowly, in one "pod" move away. The males always have the protrusion on their bills when they are here as obviously they are breeding when they visit us. As for that scam ... what. utter. scum. so sorry that happened to you. :(
Interesting facts Gail.....they have a job each day in just finding the 4 pounds of food that they eat each day.
Who would ever think of a bird living that long....awesome! Sorry for the agony brought to your family this past week. Hope all is ok. Thankful for your wisdom in checking this out...Have a Blessed day.
these images are so beautiful gail, what a treat to see them. this must have been a very exciting encounter. we are getting the snowy white owls for the 2nd winter in a row, here at the jersey shore and I desperately want to see one!!!
your warning is so disturbing....there are so many wonderful people in the world. when things like this happen, we put our guard up and miss out. so sad, I am very happy everything worked out!!!!
ohhhhh and I loved the title. sad I can't remember the 3 things I wanted to say ;)
Lovely shots of the pelicans! There are so many of them...and they're so beautiful!
Sorry to hear about the scam...some people are so sick! Just last week or so someone tried to take my grandparents and I (I'm their online sales manager for the art gallery) for $1000 with another scam. I'll write about it...if/when I can find a good way to laugh about it.
It's so scary these days, I can see why you'd nearly have a heart attack with this scenario.
Thanks for the warning!!
As for your pelicans....your images are superior!!
Love the caption "Stop tailgating Jr.".
ps...I was so riled I forgot to send along my profound thanks for linking up this week at I'd Rather B Birdin'
love the flotillas o' pelicans.
what a sh*tty scam!
Wowee, the white Pelicans, aren't they special, glorious photos, cheers Gail.
Despicable ruse by despicable people that's for sure...:(
Pelicans, pelicans everywhere, making life even more beautiful just by them being there. Sorry about your scare, it seems there are so many bad folks out there working out so many horrible acts against others. Thank goodness they were found out!
Gail, these are fabulous shots of the Pelicans.
Glad to hear no one was taken in by these despicable 'scammers'.
Those blues and whites are breathtaking, Gail! What beautiful bird! I've seen some in the Rockport/Corpus area of TX. But always at a distance.
I'm glad your son is okay. You have to be very careful nowadays. Trust but verify. My husband sells occasionally on Craigslist and eBay and so we are always having to watch out for scammers. Of course what happened to you is a lot more personal. I can understand why it was so upsetting. Praying a peaceful week for all. Blessings.
The white pelicans against the blue is so gorgeous. Would love to see them in an orb or oval!
How disturbing to hear that your dad got these calls. I hope he was wise to the scam from the start. There seems to be no end to how scammers take advantage of people and cheat them blind.
There also seems to be no end to your beautiful photography and for that, I am grateful.
I hope the missing AWP return soon.
Thanks for the tip about the scam. Someone obviously knew your dad had a grandson.
The Pelican does not have the cutest face,but they are so gorgeous in flight.I love seeing them and capturing far too many images.I have heard of that scam and it does pay to be very careful.So many weirdos around.
Love the Pelicans! Beautiful captures, Gail.
My mother and stepdad were taken in by a 'Paypal' scam a few weeks ago, fortunately the credit card company caught it or they would have been in the hole for several thousand dollars.
I love these pelican photos Gail, beautifully captured!
I hope some of our Oregon pelicans are on their way to your backyard because they've left here and a good thing too. It's freezing cold.
My mom got that kind of call. (She died in 2004, so the scam's been going on a while.) She listened, didn't send any money, but called me to say she thought one of our kids was in trouble. I said 'mom all the boys are OK, nobody is in trouble. Who did he say he was? ' She said 'well, he said 'Grandma?' so I asked him if it was .... and he said yes. So I told him I'd call you and you'd help') . So she got that part right, but I think she still didn't believe that it wasn't one of her grandsons.
So easy for these scam artists. There should be a special place in Hell for them.
Wow, I am shocked by the scam! I think it would nearly have a heart attack too if something like that happened to me or my parents.
Your photos are stunning, Gail. And the facts about these birds are amazing. Hugs to you!
Your photos are breathtaking Gail, those birds are too. Sorry about the scare and thanks for the warning.
Wow - gorgeous pictures of the pelicans!
So horrible to think of all these scammers!
The pelican photos are special, I especially like seeing the younger ones with the adults. I seem to be able to see emotions on their faces, and the parent and young one are funny together. The pink bills with the snowy white feathers are exquisite together.
Such a great series, Gail. Your colors are so excellent. I've tried to photograph this birds in a zoo, but it's difficult to catch the colors without overexposure. Greetings, Joke
A very pleasant post, except for that last part. How low!
I have not heard of that scam - how HORRIBLE. I can't believe people! How could they do something like that?!? :-(
Your photographs are incredible!
I have seen brown pelicans in person but never white ones. I would love to, though! And so so sad about that scam...wow.
I hope you have a terrific Tuesday, my friend.
I have heard of that grandparents scam. It is so despicable! The pelican photos are absolutely stunning and I love the caption. I'd love to see them in person. What an amazing sight!
Beautiful photos, Gail, I love especially the last "Trio" capture! :)
I'm sorry to hear that your family had to deal with the Grandparents Scam, it's such nasty behaviour. I hate it when these people try to abuse confidence and certain fragility of the old people. Thanks for sharing the story, it's important to hear it over and over to be careful.
These are fantastic photos! I wish we would get pelicans here. The only ones I've ever seen were in Florida.
They are really beautiful birds, and you got some great photos! I hate your Dad got that scam call. I know how badly it must have upset you to think your son was hurt. There are some crazy, horrible people in this world.
Hi Gail,
What a great series of pelicans.
The colors and sharpness is really great.
Best regards, Irma
I have never seen a pelican except in photos. They look like comic book characters to me, I'm not sure why.
I was not aware of the American White Pelican. WOW! How beautifully you have captured and shared them with your photos. They are awesome birds. Since I've always loved pelicans, I'll share my little ditty that I learned as a child. Probably most of you have heard it but I have passed this limerick on to all the children at the SC beach when they see pelicans.
"A wonderful bird is the pelican
His bill will hold more than his belican
He can take in his beak
Enough food for a week
But I'm damned if I see how the helican."
by Dixon Merritt.
Rotten mean things those scammers do! Glad all is Ok, and always remember to keep on our toes.
Amazing shots of the Pelicans. So they must migrate back during the winter. Earlier this year I posted White Pelicans that migrated up here.
Wow that is awful about the scammers but I'm so glad you checked it all out and found out the truth.
Oops ... I hope there are more pelicans come back because that would forever be a shame if many do not return. Your photos are truly visionary sich. Clear, sharp and you can just count the feathers!
Your captures of them are so beautiful, Gail. Think I may take a ride to Baton Rouge soon ;)
What a terrible ordeal to experience with the attempted scam. I've had a couple of similar experiences on Facebook. One can never be too careful these days.
wow, they are magnificent birds.
as always, gorgeous series of pelican photos, gail.
have a great day
big hugs!
I like the "squadron" term! Great shots, and thanks for the warning on the scam. Seems like there are so many these days...
Great shots! I like the three of them together. Do you think they are scheming something :D
Thanks for that warning.
I just heard about that scam on the news...peoples cruelty never ceases to amaze me. I almost forgot to tell you how stunning these photos are. Pelicans are fascinating!
Gail - give me a word that is more lovely than the word beautiful!!! Your white pelicans are beyond words.
Did you know that the Eskimos have over 50 words for snow and cold??? I need to go to the thesaurus.
Especially that last photo!! It looks like they still have their egg tooth on the tip of their beaks!
Thank you for the warning!!
It's terrible that there are jerks that scam others for their money!!! Need to push them out in a kayak to your gator friend without paddles!!
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