Tuesday 22 December 2020

Wild Bird Wednesday 439 - Australian Pelican

The Australian Pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus) is one of seven Pelican species in the world.  These are big birds, with the Australian Pelican's bill being 40 cm - 50 cm long and they have a wingspan of 2.3 m - 2.5 m.

They are also fun to watch, especially on land where they seem just a little bit clumsy.  I think I would have to be in a really bad mood not to have a smile on my face when watching Pelicans.

These birds were loafing about at Swan Bay Jetty, which is about 120 km from Melbourne.  They seemed content to just sit, until a fishing boat arrived and then they were swiftly off is search of a free lunch.






These next three images show a new bit of photoshop manipulation I found out about in the last couple of weeks.  It involves using the in focus areas of two images to make a single image.  It seems to work well here, but the second time I tried it, it did not!

Anyway, here are the two original images (you can see how I shifted focus between the front and back bird) and the composite image. I think this may be about as far I will go with this type of manipulation - and I'll let you know when I use this method! 








This is the merged version

Anyway, I have a few more days at work - and then I'm free for a while, so I'll visit web sites, finally write some words and generally reflect on a pretty crazy year.

Stay well, wear a mask, get the vaccine if you can and click on the blue button below to join in with WBW.  

Above all else, have a safe and happy Christmas - and I'll be back for WBW 440 after the festivities are done and dusted.  SM

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

17 comments:

  1. Australian Pelicans, like all pelicans in fact, are interesting and entertaining birds. I have always enjoyed seeing them, and if COVID ever permits plan to do so at least one more time! Hearing of this mutation in the UK makes me a little nervous, since it begs the question as to how many other mutations might occur. Mind you, if I had been around Boris Johnson I would mutate too!

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  2. Beautiful! I like pelicans, however don't get to see them in this part of the U.S. Nice job merging your in-focus birds! Merry Christmas!

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  3. Hari OM
    Always a crowd-pleaser is the Aussie Belly Can!!! Like that 'tidy up' for focal points too. YAM xx

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  4. Beautiful Stewart. They are very interesting. I like the eyes with yellow ring. I wish you a merry christmas.

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  5. Isn't that called focus stacking? There's a photography forum that I lurk around that refers to that sometimes. There are some awesome photographers there who use focus stacking sometimes. That is a lovely pelican. I like it.

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  6. They are funny and cute.
    Merry Christmas, Stewart, to you and yours!

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  7. An entertaining bird to watch both in the water, air or on land Stewart. Thanks for hosting, Stay save and I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas

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  8. I love their colors..Black and White is always so striking!! Interesting eyes..I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas..Hope that 2021 will be an improvement...eventually!!

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  9. Hello Stewart
    You and your family have a wonderful and healthy Christmas and a successful photo year 2021
    stay healthy
    Greetings Frank

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  10. Their eyes were made for focus calibration. The composite is fine but any of the other two would have been great and no one would have noticed the subtle difference.

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  11. Wishing you wonderful holidays, Friend!

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  12. I remember being amazed at the size of the Australian pelicans when I saw them. Have a good Christmas Stewart and good wishes to your delightful family.

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  13. Merry Christmas to all Stewart and thank you. I completely agree with you about pelicans... they do always make me smile!

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  14. I love Pelicans but doubt if I will see one around us!! Happy Christmas and keep safe Diane

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  15. Wonderful pictures! Enjoy your holiday and stay safe.

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  16. Pelikany widziałam tylko w telewizji i w zoo! Zazdroszczę Ci! :-)

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