Brown Pelican’s Gifted Wings ~ Powerful and Aerodynamic!

Brown Pelican’s Gifted Wings by William R. Beebe, 30 x 36 Oil on canvas,

There are certain wing formations on a pelican in flight that give you a feel for just how large and powerful their wings really are. The Brown Pelican isn’t the largest of pelican species and yet its wingspan ranges between 6’8’ to 7’6”!!! Their wings are not only powerful but extremely aerodynamic. In my painting Brown Pelican’s Gifted Wings the wings have lifted the pelican out of the water, aided by a strong forward push by the large webbed feet. This is one of the many wing formations and moments in flight (take-off) that I find especially impressive.

The massive wingspan allows this large, but relatively lightweight bird of around 7 pounds, to soar up to 10,000 feet in the atmosphere, and to cruise along the surface of the water or ground effortlessly for miles. The aerodynamic wings ride warm air currents upward with ease. They create an air cushion when flying low to the surface of the water known in physics as the “ground effect”. That explains how they can glide for lengths of time without having to flap their wings.  

I am captivated when watching them fly in a V formation. Each pelican utilizes the updrafts created by the wings of the pelican in front of them. It is always entertaining to watch them peel off from formation to suddenly dive kamikaze style beak first into the ocean from way up high. This acrobatic maneuver proves the fact that pelicans are agile, tough birds.  

Brown Pelican’s Gifted Wings by William R. Beebe. wing detail.

Brown Pelican’s Gifted Wings by William R. Beebe, water detail.

Brown Pelican’s Gifted Wings by William R. Beebe, head detail

I’ve taken thousands of photographs of Brown Pelicans over the years and have studied them closely both on land and in flight. In this particular scene I like the movement created by the running start, the splashing water, the lifting of the wings, and the flaring of the feathers.

I have many more Brown Pelican action scenes I would like to paint. I love what I call the “butterfly pose”, which reminds me of powerful swimmers competing in the butterfly stroke. Of course, flying low over the ocean’s surface is also a favorite.  

I hope you like Brown Pelican’s Gifted Wings and that you find these exceptional creatures as curious as I do! 

Thank you for reading my journal and for your interest in my artwork. Please check back soon to see what’s next on my easel.