Pelican dip

[ASkip]

I don't usually take bird pictures, but I have been taking pictures of surfers for a few year and watching the pelicans skimming the water, I always wondered if they ever made a mistake and dipped their wings in the waves.
This is the first time I've seen one nick the surface of the water; from this morning... Does it happen often?
http://ascip.smugmug.com/photos/393443872_6KsNh-M.jpg

[jwear]

not that often --but it does add an element to the shot :huh and to the better :thumb nice one

[Harryb]

It happens every once in awhile and if you're preapred you get a wonderful capture as you have demonstrated. :thumb

[Maestro]

Pelicans will fly very closely to the surface but I personally have never captured anything like this. This is a quite good image. The wing gently touching the water makes this even better.

[Cato]

That's a wonderful shot!!! Would love to see it larger... :D

[slrshooter]

Pelicans do fly very low to the water and must pick up what is called "ground effect" which makes it very easy on them without flapping their wings. Planes have this same effect when they try to land. Catching their wing in the water is one of the attractions of shooting pelicans.

[ASkip]

That's a wonderful shot!!! Would love to see it larger... :D
Hi,
thanks everyone for the nice and educational(!) comments.
Here's where the picture lives in the gallery:
http://ascip.smugmug.com/gallery/6233140_YDgia#393443872_6KsNh
if you really want to see it bigger.

I'll have to keep my eyes on the pelicans.
thanks!