Pteradactyls or Pelicans?

Whenever we come to the shore, the Pelicans are my favorite birds. 

I could sit all day watching them glide in formation. Have you ever noticed they they use synchronized flying? The front bird raises his wings, followed by the second, then the third. And how do they fly so close to the waves without getting their wingtips wet?

If you asked, I would discuss their feeding habits with confidence. They dive into the water to catch fish, then sit there for a bit to swallow, right? Well, this trip I've learned something else. We saw one just sitting on the water...

...Then it lifted a bit and I saw a fish in its mouth! Look closely and you can see it.

Another wing flap, tip the head up, and watch that fish slide down the gullet! Pretty cool!

Sometimes, you can look at them in flight, and see a kinship to pteradactyls. After all, they say birds are descended from dinosaurs!