Bracing For The Storm, South Padre Island, Texas is a photograph by TN Fairey which was uploaded on May 2nd, 2017.
Bracing For The Storm, South Padre Island, Texas
We had a wonderful week on South Padre Island with perfect weather until our last day when a storm blew in. This was taken on the bay side of the... more
by TN Fairey
Title
Bracing For The Storm, South Padre Island, Texas
Artist
TN Fairey
Medium
Photograph - Photographs
Description
We had a wonderful week on South Padre Island with perfect weather until our last day when a storm blew in. This was taken on the bay side of the island where the storm churned up the normally tranquil clear water. The birds were looking for a safe place to weather the storm.
The brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) is a small pelican found in the Americas. It is one of the best known and most prominent birds found in the coastal areas of the southern and western United States. It is one of only three pelican species found in the Western Hemisphere and one of the only two that feeds by diving into the water.
The Brown Pelican is the smallest of the eight species of pelican, although it is a large bird in nearly every other regard. It is 106–137 cm (42–54 in) in length, weighs from 2.75 to 5.5 kg (6.1 to 12 lb) and has a wingspan from 1.83 to 2.5 m (6.0 to 8.2 ft).
Pelicans are very gregarious birds; they live in flocks of both sexes throughout the year. They are exceptionally buoyant due to the internal air sacks beneath their skin and in their bones, and as graceful in the air as they are clumsy on land. In level flight, pelicans fly in groups, with their heads held back on their shoulders, the bills resting on their folded necks. They may fly in a "V", but usually in regular lines or single file, often low over the water's surface
These birds nest in colonies, often on islands and/or in mangroves. Male pelicans pick out the nesting sites and perform an "advertising" display which attracts the females. Once a pair forms a bond, overt communication between them is minimal.
South Padre Island is at the southeastern tip of Texas, near Mexico. The year-round destination is a 33-mile long barrier reef more than half a mile wide at the broadest point.
Positioned at Latitude 26, South Padre Island is a sub-tropical climate with mild winters and warm summers. Temperatures range from 80’s in summer with the winter months averaging about 70 degrees. Seldom does one experience a day that’s not warm and sunny. South Padre Island vacations can be planned for any time of year. The winter months on South Padre Island finds many people from the Northern states enjoying the beach, fishing, restaurants, activities and shopping as the make their winter home here. They are fondly referred to as “WinterTexans” and are considered as local residents during the winter months.
The South Padre Island and Port Isabel Area is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the state of Texas. The area features fine restaurants and clubs, one of the USA’s highest rated beaches, world famous fishing, and activities for the entire family. South Padre Island is famous for being a top spring break destination drawing thousands of college students to the island each year in the month of March.
My grateful thanks to the following Administrators for the feature in the following groups
Canon Full Frame Cameras
Images That Excite You
A Birding Group - Wings
Coastal Water Birds-Shore Birds
Uploaded
May 2nd, 2017
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Comments (33)
Ricardos Creations
Just Perfect - two of the most entertaining shorebirds captured in the same image! well done, Tessa!
Petra Theodoridou
Spectacular capture, Tessa!!!Lovely scene, action and details in this beautiful wildlife image! LF
Don Columbus
Congratulations Tessa, your work is Featured in "Coastal Waterbirds-Shorebirds" I invite you to place it in the group's "2017 Featured Image Archive" Discussion!! L/Tweet
Don Columbus
Congratulations Tessa, your work is Featured in "A Birding Group - Wings"! I invite you to place it in the group's "2017 Featured Image Archive" Discussion!! L/Tweet
Morris Finkelstein
Wonderful photo of Laughing Gull flying low over a pair of Brown Pelicans, with great timing, colors, details and composition, Tessa! F/L
John M Bailey
Congratulations on your feature in the Fine Art America Group "Images That Excite You!"
Will Borden
Hi Tessa~~A terrific shot of the seagulls and pelicans as they are buffeted by the wind at South Padre Island, Texas- a fine wild bird image! F&L&Pin&Twt&G+!!