Tag Archives: Brown Pelican

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Juvenile Brown Pelicans have brown heads and white underparts. Adults have white heads and brown underparts. Here's a photo showing you an adult and a juvenile, taken by Craig Tooley.

Adult and juvenile Brown Pelican headed south by Craig Tooley

On Thursday Rick and I were walking the bluffs at Gualala Point Regional Park. We saw a few Brown Pelicans on the water, accompanied by an opportunistic Western Gull. Then another Brown Pelican approached. We fantasized we could hear it shout, "I'm coming in, I'm coming in!"

I'm coming - a Brown Pelican by Jeanne Jackson

They sure are graceful flyers but they don't have the most controlled landing. Here it's saying, "Brakes! Brakes!"

Brakes - a Brown Pelican arrives by Jeanne Jackson

Brown Pelicans plunge dive for fish. Here is one of my favorite photos showing plunge diving. It was taken by Patrick Killen.

Brown Pelican plunge diving cropped by Patrick Killen

Thanks to Craig and Patrick for allowing me to share their photos with you here. To see much more of Craig's nature photography, here is his website: www.ruffimage.com

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Oregonian Jeff Austin frequently visits the Mendonoma Coast. He noticed this Brown Pelican trying to get a fish in its pouch.

The pouch of a Brown Pelican by Jeff Austin (Large)

With the sun shining on the pouch, it's quite an amazing photo! Brown Pelicans plunge dive for fish and it's quite a sight to see them fishing. Here is one of my favorite photos of one plunge diving. It was taken by Patrick Killen.

Brown Pelican plunge diving by Patrick Killen

Thanks to Jeff and Patrick for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

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These are the non-breeders, just hanging around having a good time on the Coast. Path Neth's granddaughter, Annaka Neth, recently photographed one. It looks like the big bird is looking for a fish.

Brown Pelican by Annaka Neth (Large)
Bill Clark spotted this Brown Pelican resting on the water near the Point Arena Pier.
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And Peggy Berryhill saw this Brown Pelican plunge diving for a fish off the Point Arena/Stornetta Lands.
Brown Pelican plunge diving by Peggy Berryhill

Thanks to Annaka, Bill, and Peggy for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

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Peter Cracknell photographed a Brown Pelican recently. Its white head tells you it is an adult. Juveniles have brown heads. They are migrating south along the coast now.

An adult Brown Pelican by Peter Cracknell

Rain is hitting the coast today and we are grateful for all we receive. The ocean is making itself heard too with its crashing waves. Carolyn André photographed these waves coming in near Jenner several days ago. The black dots on the right are surfers.

Beautiful surf by Carolyn André

Two more storms are lined up and we say, "Bring it on, Mother Nature!"

Thanks to Peter and Carolyn for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

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Pepe Alvarez photographed a Brown Pelican soaring. They seem to fly so effortlessly, using updrafts near the bluffs.

A Brown Pelican soars by Pepe Alvarez An adult Brown Pelican by Pepe Alvarez

This year Brown Pelicans did not breed in great numbers. The estimate is only 1% of the normal amount of eggs were laid. The theory is the burgeoning El Nino is to blame. Their normal food source down in Baja was not available this year and most Brown Pelicans did not successfully breed. As they are long-lived birds, taking one year off is not a cause for worry.

Thanks to Pepe for allowing me to share his beautiful photos with you here.