Oregonian Jeff Austin frequently visits the Mendonoma Coast. He noticed this Brown Pelican trying to get a fish in its pouch.
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.
Thanks to Jeff and Patrick for allowing me to share their photos with you here.
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.