PELICANS!!!!!!!!!!!!

[goat starer]

I know I posted this inside another thread but I dont think it is getting the attention it needs. This is a frightening leap in animal evolution (but one which may have some much needed short term impacts in terms of public health and the cleanliness of our streets).

"To what does the Goat refer?" I hear you ask! why the only important news from England today.....

WARNING: Toadfish of a delicate nature may be upset. It is perfectly clean, very funny but a little disturbing.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/1/hi/england/london/6083468.stm

[Griffin NoName]

This may be the Jamesian Explosion. The reign of Charles II was no time at all ago.

Or..... has Red Ken been secretly training the pelicans?

Goat, you are right. This needs serious research funding.

[Sibling Spoffish]

That. Is. Really. Scary. 

Can't you just imagine an army of pelicans raging through the land, chomping up ever small bird and rodent? Lock up your hamsters... 

[goat starer]

I know  Pelicans were always a bit of a worry. the evolutionary exemplar of greed with their big flapping beaks. Having decimated OUR fish stocks (yes that was pelicans not trawlers with drift nets - ask a fisherman  ) they are moving on to other prey.

How long before one takes a small child?

What will it take for the authorities to act and exterminate this menace?

[Bob in a quantum-state-of-faith]

Since I consider pigeons basically "rats with feathers" I applaud anything that will reduce their over-populous numbers.

In NYC, birds of prey are returning to the New York area for the first time in a very long time.

It seems that certain raptors have learned that the very tall buildings mimic their natural high-nesting areas (window ledges provide shelter and safety for their nests).  The buildings are not unlike deep canyons.

And, there is an over-abundant food supply for these birds:  the lowly pigeon.

Hooray for Birds of Prey!

[goat starer]

we have had peregrine falcons in london for ages feasting on the pigeon populace. Much as I would like to see a reduction in pigeon numbers 20 minutes in a pelicans beak followed by being swallowed alive head first seems to come under the heading cruel and unusual punishment.

My concern about pelicans goes further.....

this is Izzy the hungry pelical


and this is the hungry pelican stuffed toy



this is part of their dastardly plan to lull CHILDREN into a false sense of security around hungry pelicans and then.....

[size=24]SNAP!!!![/size]


this one has actually grabbed a child and they are willing to put it on the BOX!!!!


5 seconds after this photo was taken she this woman had been SWALLOWED!!

[goat starer]

PS. anybody who thinks I am kidding....

[Aggie]

Oh, what of the pumpkin in the tree?  I've not been able to find pictures; Lammo was talking about it on the BBC.

[Vita Curator]

Oh man, that is just not right, I am not that found of pigeons either but that does seem to be an awful way to bite the dust.

We have peregrine falcons in Harrisburg also, nesting atop the Rachel Carson Building.  Their main diet is also pigeons.

[Sibling Chatty]

A wonderful bird is a pelican,
His bill will hold more than his belican.
He can take in his beak
Food enough for a week;
But I'm damned if I see how the helican.

    * "The Pelican" (1910) by Dixon Lanire Merrith

(No, not Ogden Nash.)

[goat starer]

and whilst we are doing seabird rhyme....

The common cormorant (or shag)
Lays eggs inside a paper bag,
You follow the idea, no doubt?
It's to keep the lightning out.

But what these unobservant birds
Have never thought of, is that herds
Of wandering bears might come with buns
And steal the bags to hold the crumbs.


Christopher Isherwood


PS.Agujjim. As I cant find a picture of the real pumpkin incident which I read about yesterday I will post this instead...

[Aggie]

Cheers.  I can't find a photo either.... you'd think someone would have grabbed a camera.  Perhaps the elderly lady who spotted it in her tree is waiting for the film to be developed and will post one later.  I must send her the postal address... 

[Griffin NoName]

The picture of the pumpkin growing in the tree is in the Daily Mail (according to whatever program I was half watching on the BBC) and in the interests of our community I have done something I never thought I would do. I have allowed the Daily Mail web site through my firewall. I can't see the pic there, presume it must be in tomorrow's edition (no pics for that on their web site yet).

[goat starer]

I saw it too and cannot remember where last night! was it Have I got news for you?

[Griffin NoName]

Almost certainly HIGNFY. Although both that AND JRoss showed the pic of the queen oops Queen.