Prey of the Pelican II

Although not being considered dangerous, pelicans are quite big and you wouldn´t want to mess with them!

The diet of pelicans usually consists of fish, but occasionally amphibians, turtles, crustaceans, insects, birds, and mammals are also eaten. The size of the preferred prey fish varies depending on pelican species and location. Apparently pelicans have even been observed eating smaller birds, sometimes scooping up water in order to drown them before swallowing.

Pelican eats pigeon_Melanie Franz

Flight of the Pelican II

Did you know that pelicans fly at an average speed of 25 km/h but they have been record with top speed of up to 65 km/h?

Their wing span ranges from 183 cm – 350 cm depending on the species. So yes, they are quite massive and you rather don´t mess with them.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Flying Pelicans_Melanie Franz

Pelican Landing

The brown pelican is a unique feeder that makes impressive dives from above the surface. They fly just above the surface of the water, then circle high, and when ready dive headfirst, plunging under water to catch fish.

They are able to dive from as high as 30 meters! The deeper the meal the higher the dive.

This pelican landing turned out purple for artistic expression.

20_07 Pelican landing_Melanie Franz

Pelican Offspring

Who has seen a baby pelican? I haven´t. Something unusual about the populations of coastal pelicans is that baby pelicans are never seen. 

Pelicans nest far away in inland or remote locations in large breeding colonies. The pair chooses a relatively flat nest site on gravel, sand, or soil near other pelicans at the same stage of the breeding cycle. In southern, drier regions, they nest amongst sparse vegetation. In forested regions, sites may be under shrubs or trees.

Both parents feed their young.

From about 25 days old, the young pelicans gather in “pods” or “crèches” of up to 100 birds. The parents recognise and feed only their own offspring.

Young Pelican in nest_Melanie Franz

Pelican Hangout

Pelicans are very social birds. They live in large colonies composed of several hundreds of birds. A group of pelicans has numerous collective nouns, including pod, scoop and squadron.

Happy Sunday everyone!

20_07 Pelican hangout_Melanie Franz

Pose like a Pelican

Pelicans are a characterised by a long beak and a large throat pouch used for catching prey and draining water from the scooped-up contents before swallowing.

There are 8 different living pelican species. You can find them ranging latitudinally from the tropics to the temperate zone, though they are absent from interior South America and from polar regions and the open ocean.

Plight of the Pelican

I am currently doing a study of pelicans for an image making course I am taking. After months of absence from drawing I am getting into it again. That means you can expect more pelicans.

This pelican is hungry.

20_06 Pelican purple_Melanie Franz

Flight of the Pelican

The last couple of months just flew by. As they say, time flies when you are having fun and things are all over the place.

After spending the last 4 months enjoying life in Greece and Switzerland due to multiple flight cancellations, I am finally back on the island. As drawing came rather short the last months I am eager to take it up again.

One of the fondest memories of recent years is when we were watching pelicans surfing the waves of the Pacific Ocean in Guatemala. It looked like they where having a blast!

Do Not Wake a Sleeping Dragon

I bought some red ink as I wanted to try out something different. This is what the first experiment looks like.

The ink doesn´t cover as well as I would have expected. Lets see what I will use it for.

A Winter´s Tale

Winter storms are still going strong here. I started to enjoy watching the snow hitting the window and got accustomed to cosy indoor life.

I am currently still working on a series of illustrations for a friend. But in the meantime I thought I put this little story of my own together.

A Winter´s Tale

On his stroll around the forest Mr. Fox was looking for a good spot to relief himself. Not paying attention of where, he just went about his business.

191011 Inktober_Snow_Melanie Franz

Before Mr Fox new what happened, he found himself in the big black mouth of the snowman who tried to swallow him whole.

But after the first surprise, Mr Fox started to put up a fight.

191220 Snowman Fox_Melanie Franz

On it went. The struggle continued for a while, but eventually Mr Fox was able to free himself and ended up victorious.

191220 Snowman Fox Battle_Melanie Franz

The End.

Feeling Frail

This is Inktober remainder number 2 that I forgot to post. The prompt was called frail.

Flew off my bike the other day. I don´t feel frail but rather bruised and bumped. Otherwise ok.

Curious Crowd of Huskies

I just discovered two Inktober drawings that I forgot to post.

This one is titled Husky. I love how it turned out. I´m still a dog person. What could they be looking at though?

War Paint

This is what you didn´t see. Before Mr Fox decorated himself with ornaments, he turned his friend Mr Mouse into a fierce tiger mouse!

Once finished, they went off to party.

200102-fox-painting-mouse_Melanie Franz

Have you build a snowman?

We are currently having that terrible winter weather that I hate. It snows one day, only to be followed by heavy rain the day after…. So no chance to enjoy the snow or build a snowman. Therefore an ink version has to do for now.

Have you build a snowman this winter?

200102-snowman-and-fox_Melanie Franz