Brown Pelican have a system for taking off when in the water.

They jump up wildly flapping.

Bounce along the surface.

And after a bounce or two they are up… a little.
They do eventually get up, and are acrobats once airborne. Just getting there isn’t too graceful.
These wonderful photos, Ted, remind me a little of the way that I get up from a crouch these days. “Graceful” would not be the adjective to describe my actions as I crackle, wiggle, and wobble my way to an upright position. I am a bit more graceful when getting down, but getting up is another story. 🙂
😂😂, I understand that completely. I needed to get down low the other day for a shot… I didn’t get the shot, or try. The image was not worth flopping around like a fish 🤣🤣