Tag Archives: Brown Pelican plunge diving

Patrick Killen caught the moment just before this Brown Pelican plunged into the Pacific Ocean.

Fish were milliseconds from being caught by this pelican. The force of the pelican's impact in the water actually stuns the fish and then the pelican simply scoops them up.

Adult Brown Pelicans are mostly silent. To hear the sound of a young one calling to be fed, here is the link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Brown_Pelican/sounds

Thanks to  Patrick for allowing me to share his great photo with you here.

1 Comment

Yesterday I showed you the first three of the five pictures Allen Vinson took of this encounter. Here are the last two.

Two Heermann's Gulls ganging up on a Brown Pelican, trying to steal its catch.

But it looks like this time the Gulls did not prevail. Find your own fish, Heermann's Gulls!

Many thanks to Allen for allowing me to share this interesting story!

Allen Vinson was in the right place at the right time...and had his camera! Allen photographed a Brown Pelican plunge diving off of The Sea Ranch this week.

 First the dive.

Next the catch.

Then two Heermann's Gulls want their share.

Tomorrow I'll show you the outcome!