This is the view we found as we turned into the ocean side of Bird Key. Pretty amazing.
The little white ‘puff balls’, chicks, are not ready to move around yet.
Adults can leave their nest to fish and still have the young protected since there are so many other Pelicans.
This ridge covers have the island, deep in Pelicans. The exact number is guess work but it’s thousands.
This day thankfully there wasn’t much of a breeze. The next day, a wind blowing right to the boat. Big birds, that eat fish.
Living in Southwest Florida I can honestly say I have never seen a baby pelican, only the mature adults. Great photos!
Thank you. Pelicans usually nest on islands and sand bars. This is an island off the Charleston SC coast. We have (I think) 5 coastal rookeries, one is empty right now.
That’s amazing there are so many rookeries. Sanibel Island is an island you can spot tons of pelicans. I will have to pay more attention next time I am out there for nesting areas. I know there are shorebirds that use the island for nesting.
Sanibel has the Laughing Gulls nesting there I think.
I spend time in the area. One of my favorite Pelican spots is under the Ft Meyers bridge when the tide turns. Great photo spot for diving Pelicans.
The main birds are Snowy Plovers, Wilson’s Plovers, and Least Terns on Sanibel. I used to work with SCCF when I worked for the newspaper on the island. A great conservation group.
Fort Myers Beach is a great spot!
Sanibel also has those Black Bark Scorpions 😳.
Fabulous 😊