Whooping Pelicans - Pt2

I mentioned in an earlier e-mail that the whooping cranes are territorial. The parents are also very defensive in protecting their colt.

I never saw a specific gesture but there was sudden movement of the pelicans giving up that point of marsh to the whooping cranes. The pelicans were not just casually swimming away as you see. It was pretty clear who was the top bird in this part of the marsh.

If the pelicans didn't move to the left (seen above), they moved to the right as seen in this photo. Whatever the case, they gave the cranes all the room the cranes wanted! Again, the colt looks really small in this photo!

As if to declare their victory and claim to their land, both parents started whooping as junior kept looking for food.


Stay in touch!
Doug White

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