By Trace O’Rourke.

Pelican Sleep and Peek

By Trace O’Rourke

Sony A7R II; FE 24-105mm f/4 G OSS lens; ISO 160, 288mm cropped; f/5.6

I spent about one hour just watching a group of pelicans resting on the beach. Amazed how they can turn their head 180 degrees and rest their beak along their backs and hide under their wings. This one was sleeping and occasionally peeking.

Don’s response

Here’s a question. Have you ever seen a photograph of a pelican similar to this one? No? Nor have I, and yet pelicans habituated to humans are to be found at piers, boat ramps and marinas all over Australia.

Trace O’Rourke saw this image because unlike most of us she took the time to watch her subject for an hour. Of course a great eye for composition helped too.

Simple, intriguing and could’ve been taken by anyone – but wasn’t.

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