I guess Pelicans can read. Why else would he sit up there with a flag.
Brown Pelican
Category Archives: Ocean Shore
Stowaways On The Shrimp Boats
Sitting in the rigging of a shrimp boat.
With their necks all twisted around, watching me, and one sound asleep you can’t help but smile they look so comical.
Everyone loves the Pelican.
Two Different Methods, Pelican
You will find the Pelican has a great love of the commercial fishing boats. It’s called free food, like a country buffet.
Some follow the rules, wait in the buffet line for their turn.
And then there is the ‘line jumper’
They hide and ambush others for the first spot in line when the food comes out.
A fishing boat is like the early bird special to a Pelican.
Fast Flight, Right Past Me
Timing was right for me. I had just switched to a better lens when this Pelican sped by me.
I am always impressed at how fast they can travel with minimal effort.
Above the bird dropped down a little closer to the surface and caught the thermals. From there it was a long steady glide out to the harbor.
Shrimp Boat Captain, Pelican
Pelicans take over the masts and rigging of the shrimpers when they are in dock.
This one seems to think he owns the boat.
Came In High, Unexpected Pelican
The Pelicans usually don’t come into the creeks here from the marsh side. Fishing boats and whole Atlantic Ocean are in the opposite direction.
I almost missed this bird, I finally got some shots when he was almost directly overhead.
Pelicans may be big but they make little noise. If you are not watching they will glide right by.
Which is what almost happened here.
Staring Back At Me, Pelican
OK, this is different.
He is staring at me, not the other way around.
He was sitting in the rigging of a shrimper when I walked by.
Click to view full size, and stare back at him.
Brown Pelican Near Shrimpers
No swamps and marshes for me, we are officially in ‘the tropics’.
The high temperature I saw today was 95 (36 C) which is more than I care to deal with.
Charleston has always been a commercial fishing hub. Now a tourist destination this is fading fast. But there are are still commercial piers.
Where you have fishing boats you have Pelican.
And Sea Food…
