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It's interesting what a small change in wing position does to a photo of a single bird. In this first photo of a Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis, the forward bend in the wings gives the bird a magnificent, almost regal quality. But the illusion of a slight backwards fold in the wings - really due to the spread of the wingtip feathers - makes it seem more playful.
Both were taken on September 21, 2013 in Playa Del Rey, Los Angeles, California with a Canon 60D and Canon 75-300mm f/4.0-5.6 telephoto zoom lens.