This is a brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) shortly after in plunged into the ocean. Now the bird is flying again, it will rise again to an altitude where it can continue hunting. I chose this photo because it shows the short pelican's tail.
"The Brown Pelican is a comically elegant bird with an oversized bill, sinuous neck, and big, dark body. Squadrons glide above the surf along southern and western coasts, rising and falling in a graceful echo of the waves. They feed by plunge-diving from high up, using the force of impact to stun small fish before scooping them up. They are fairly common today—an excellent example of a species’ recovery from pesticide pollution that once placed them at the brink of extinction." - allaboutbirds.org
I apologize for the horrendous quality of these photographs. But I wanted to share this brown pelican that I watched flying far out from the beach at Gulfport, Mississippi.
When our beautiful brown pelicans put on their breeding plumage each year, it’s definitely a sight worth photographing. The head is usually yellow with the neck displaying white. During the mating season, the neck & back of the head turn a rich, reddish, almost velvety chocolate brown. Added some textures to this already gorgeous bird.
This Brown Pelican standing on a post in the bay seemed to be having a good hearty laugh about something. In actuality though, he was probably getting ready to have a big stretch of his gular pouch. I like the laugh story better though. :)
These are two brown pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis) from a far. I have better photos of brown pelicans, but I liked this composition with two flying so close together.
Brown Pelicans are a welcome staple around Florida beaches and waterways. I photographed this juvenile standing on the shore one morning while he was posing nicely for his picture. Added complimentary textures for an artistic presentation.
Took my photo of a Brown Pelican standing on a wooden piling in the bay and through the magic of editing tools, transported him to a cosmic universe among the stars. He seems to be “starstruck” with his trip to this outer galaxy.
Photographed this Brown Pelican as he was taking off and kicking up some water behind him on this Florida bay. I liked the feather display and detail of his outstretched wing. Love our pels.