A few B&W fun shots.
These are best viewed large since things are happening everywhere… shrimp flying through the air, big Pelican bills poked inside other big Pelican bills, even a poor guy losing his hard fought fish.
In the above it took a while to figure out how a Pelican bill got inside another one !
Fish and shrimp were flying around in the last one.
You just never know what you might see out there.
I love catching these guys at the piers.
Masters at working the shrimp boats.
Charleston, South Carolina.
The Egret was right inside the shrimp box, stealing all he could.
It looked like he had two accomplices keeping a lookout for him.
I came across images still to be finished and this one just struck me.
An immature Pelican riding the surf, with his Laughing Gull neighbors.
However, what was happening to make all the birds look the other way ?
Brown Pelican doing nothing of any consequence.
This Pelican was a little overly dramatic in his landing, but so cool to see them work.
Below he was making a nice slow touch down.
However, he turned it into a small practice dive. They do this practice often too. Brown Pelicans dive from up high to catch prey.
If you have not seen a Pelican work, it’s amazing. Click here to see another article / photos I previously published.
At the last minute he turned a little to the left. They always turn left when diving. Why ?
(Wikipedia) Air sacs beneath the skin on their breasts act like cushions. Also, while diving, a pelican rotates its body ever so slightly to the left. This rotation helps avoid injury to the esophagus and trachea, which are located on the right side of the bird’s neck.
The Peruvian Pelican will dive also, all other Pelicans fish by working the waters surface with their large bills.
Charleston, South Carolina.
A peaceful scene on the shore with several Laughing Gulls and a Brown Pelican.
Catching the Gull mid flight added the interest here.
Brown Pelican making a turn to land on the shore.
Most birds landing set down in the surf line. I guess there was enough depth to soften the touch down.
Pelicans fly and dive with amazing grace. Landing not so much.
