Yes, this is the actual head of this particular bird. Yes, this is what a pelican head looks like, when it is not trying to look like a pelican. Yes, the bird almost landed on my head. Yes, this was a large bird. No, I did not think he would land on me...
It does appear as if the head of the bird were closest to the dinosaur ancestors we imagine populating the skies at some point in this planet's past... it is interesting to see such a strong visual connection in a living, moving, flying animal...
Out of all your recent photos of pelicans (clearly, that was the highlight for you at the art fair), I like this one the best. Definetely pterodactyl-like, although it almost has a cartoonish expression too...like something animated by Pixar, perhaps ;-) I can only imagine the shock of having a giant bird like that zoning in on my head! Sadly, we just have ugly giant jungle crows in Tokyo which like to divebomb unsuspecting pedestrians and tear open garbage bags, spreading household waste down the street on collection day!
Posted by: lil on December 9, 2003 05:07 AMhaha... the pelicans were flying higher than some of the art in Miami Beach for sure, though the art fair was indeed excellent and I am just shying away from writing about it... because there was a lot of silly stuff that I just do not want to be the first and top entry here... hmm...
giant crows?... are they shiny black birds with lot of character?... oh, I would love to take some pictures of them...
it must be pelican week all over.
I work on the waterfront in downtown San Francisco, and I frequently see flocks of pelicans zooming over the water, but yesterday two flew right by me, closer than I've ever seen them... it made me ridiculously happy. and then I remembered all your photos here... this one in particular is stunning, with the sky behind the bird; his feathers and feet so clearly outlined. he looks like he's just suspended in air, relaxing. beautiful. thank you.
witold. this is my favorite picture yet. it is magnificent. my heart swells. - m.
Posted by: emdot on December 9, 2003 09:40 PMWow. Hadn't seen this one yet. These are unbelievable!
Posted by: rob on December 10, 2003 11:50 AMI like this one the best too. It makes me wish Hitchcockian was a word because I would very much like to describe it as "Beshittingly Hitchcockian".
Posted by: Monkey on December 10, 2003 11:59 PM