Tag Archives: Brown Pelican

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This past week or so, Brown Pelicans have been seen in breeding plumage. Their heads are dusted in yellow and their gular pouch - their throat pouch - has turned orange/red. Kate Bloch got this photo of a Brown Pelican in the Gualala River, which shows you this transition.

These breeders will head south to their traditional breeding grounds, which are West Anacapa and Santa Barbara islands. Birders wonder if they will expand their breeding grounds northward, perhaps even the Mendonoma Coast. We’ll be watching!

Thanks to Kate for allowing me to share her photo with you here.

Since Nov. 16th we've had 2.74 inches of rain and the season to date is 12.74. Mushrooms are popping up seemingly everywhere! We've had a nice wet start this year. But now we take a pause and the forecast is clear of any storms through Thanksgiving. This afternoon is bright sunshine after some residual cloud, though it's on the cool side in the mid 50's.

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Many of us love this time of year. The light is so richly golden. James Corbett caught a recent sunset with a Brown Pelican and a handful of Gulls. Life is good on the Mendonoma Coast!

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

After several days of balmy weather, it cooled off today. It almost feels like rain but so far no wet stuff!

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Brown Pelicans land in the Gualala River, which is a hoot to watch. As graceful as they are in the air, they can be quite clumsy coming in for a river landing. Mike Reinhart was recently at the river when he saw this Brown Pelican taking quite a bath.

The freshwater of the river is perfect for getting each feather clean!

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

Today is warm and rather muggy. Some clouds poured in this morning but all that remains are wispy clouds now.

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Brown Pelicans heading northward can be seen now in large flocks. I find it thrilling to see them. Even more exciting is to see one getting read to nab a fish, their preferred food source. Paul Brewer got this photo of a Brown Pelican making his move.

Brown Pelican plunge dive, beak first, to catch a fish. This is an adult pelican with its white head.

Thanks to Paul for allowing me to share his photo with you here. To see much more of Paul's nature photography, here is his website: https://paulbrewer.smugmug.com/

The fog has pulled back over the ocean and it's a sunny, warm day today!

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Loch Michie photographed this adult Brown Pelican as it lifted off from the water.

Adult Brown Pelicans have white heads and brown tummies. Brown Pelicans are so graceful when flying, but they can be comically clumsy when coming in for a landing in water.

These prehistoric-looking birds were severely impacted by the pesticide DDT. It got in waterways where fish ingested it. Birds like the Brown Pelicans ate the fish, and the pesticide residue caused their eggshells to thin. When the mother bird stood (yes, Brown Pelicans incubate their eggs with the skin on their feet) on her eggs, they broke. Their numbers went into a steep decline and we almost lost them. DDT was banned, and these beautiful creatures have recovered in the years since. I think a good rule for we humans would be: Do No Harm.

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

Fog over the Pacific Ocean, with warm temps away from the ocean.