The Brown Pelican is the smallest of the US pelicans. I have only seen the White Pelican also and both are big. A Brown Pelican is 4 1/2 feet tall (106–137 cm) with a wing span of 6 – 8 feet (1.83 to 2.5 m). Sorry, but his wings are bigger than me. Not small!
Most interesting is this bird dives for his fish. In shallow water just a little up in the air. In the ocean it’s a full out, full speed dive.
Each time I pass a nest a new photograph is taken. It might be like a hundred others, or just different enough to keep and publish.
No matter, the fact that I can catch an image of this is special and deserves to be captured.
An image that just presented itself.
Many birds wait near the piers for the fleet to come back. Scrap fish are thrown overboard as the haul is cleaned.
This guy has made it a habit to sleep near the trail under a small overhang. Doesn’t bother anyone and gets a little sun.
Interesting how he looks right back at you. Heck of a poker face too.
A single photograph with many of my favorite image types rolled into one;
Something for everyone.
They came by fast. This was shot almost directly into the glare on the water.
Never take photographs on the shore / water at noon. Unless a flock of pelicans goes by.
A small bird that I can only photograph in perfect light. They are shy, dive quickly under water, and always seem to be just out of reach. And that’s why morning light is needed. No room for error.
Pied-billed Grebe In Circles – Click To Enlarge
‘Part bird, part submarine, the Pied-billed Grebe is common across much of North America. These small brown birds have unusually thick bills that turn silver and black in summer. These expert divers inhabit sluggish rivers, freshwater marshes, lakes, and estuaries. They use their chunky bills to kill and eat large crustaceans along with a great variety of fish, amphibians, insects, and other invertebrates. Rarely seen in flight and often hidden amid vegetation.’ (Cornell University)
I have never been this close to an Anhinga before. He was so close that I looked right past several times. I was just not expecting a big bird to be 15 feet away.
In order to get this full body shot I had to step away it was too close for my lens. They are a nice looking bird when you can get up close and actually see them.
Click any image to view a gallery.
