White Pelicans Riding Thermals
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Have you ever seen birds fly in a spiral, going higher and higher? They have discovered a weather phenomenon known as thermals.
A couple weeks ago, I was lucky to notice White Pelicans riding thermals for several days above Everglades City.
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White Pelicans and single Anhinga (far right) riding a thermal
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Thermals are updrafts of warm air that rise from the ground into the sky. Birds will fly in a circular path within these columns of rising air and “ride” the currents to climb to higher altitudes while expending very little energy in the process.
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White Pelicans riding a thermal
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Some thermals may only last for a few seconds, others can last up to 10-20 minutes. As thermals rise, they cool, eventually reaching the same temperature as the surrounding air. Suddenly the thermal dissipates, and you’ll see the birds lose their momentum and form of flight.
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White Pelicans riding a thermal
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Each day that I saw them, it was in the afternoon.
Some close-ups….
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White Pelicans riding a thermal
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White Pelicans riding a thermal
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Watching these huge birds gracefully spiral up high in the sky was such a delight!
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