Nice Day For Fishing

Yesterday afternoon we were watching this young brown pelican fishing in the salt marsh. They can be quite entertaining to observe as they fish, since their technique is somewhat less then graceful. A brown pelican hits the water with a head first crash looking as if it was just tossed from a moving vehicle! As odd as it may appear however, this system works very well for them. At one point we saw this guy come up with a nice fish, swallow it down, and then fly off to continue on with his day of fishing.

48 thoughts on “Nice Day For Fishing”

niasunset on March 4, 2013 at 3:01 pm said:

Oh my dear, what can I say more than beautiful, I don’t know, fascinated me again. Thank you, love, nia

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- Phil Lanoue on March 4, 2013 at 7:29 pm said:
  
  Thank you Nia I’m so glad you like these!
  
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Scott Marshall on March 4, 2013 at 3:04 pm said:

pretty gross actually they are not nature most beautifully proportioned creatures. As always a great sequence which to the majority of the world population would go hidden, cracking.

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- Phil Lanoue on March 4, 2013 at 7:31 pm said:
  
  They are an odd almost prehistoric looking animal for sure. Thank you for looking Scott and I appreciate your comments.
  
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lylekrahn on March 4, 2013 at 3:12 pm said:

It’s great that the crash technique works. So many different approaches with all your friends.

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- Phil Lanoue on March 4, 2013 at 7:32 pm said:
  
  Yes they do seem to have their own techniques often to suit their body types which makes sense.
  Interestingly, the American White Pelican does not fish like it’s cousin.
  
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pixelspielerei on March 4, 2013 at 3:14 pm said:

Wow, how exciting!

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- Phil Lanoue on March 4, 2013 at 7:32 pm said:
  
  Thanks, glad you like them!
  
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meyer23 on March 4, 2013 at 3:38 pm said:

Absolutely wow!

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- Phil Lanoue on March 4, 2013 at 7:32 pm said:
  
  I apprecaite you looking and commenting!
  
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Chillbrook on March 4, 2013 at 4:51 pm said:

Smashing series as ever Phil! 🙂

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- Phil Lanoue on March 4, 2013 at 7:33 pm said:
  
  Thanks for the kind words Adrian!
  
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pviette on March 4, 2013 at 4:54 pm said:

I love the last photo ! The Pelican looks like :”Urgh, this water is far too cold!”

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- Phil Lanoue on March 4, 2013 at 7:33 pm said:
  
  He was right too, that water is still pretty cold! 🙂
  
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theforagingphotographer on March 4, 2013 at 4:57 pm said:

Gulp!! 😀

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- Phil Lanoue on March 4, 2013 at 7:33 pm said:
  
  Gulp is right!
  
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Cowboys and Crossbones on March 4, 2013 at 5:06 pm said:

Wow – amazing photos! While the pelican may not be graceful, it gets the job done (kind of like me when I’m drunk and eating a cheeseburger).

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- Phil Lanoue on March 4, 2013 at 7:35 pm said:
  
  Glad you liked these pics and your analogy is spot on! Sounds familier too. Were you in the same bar as me Sat. night?! 😛 😀
  
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  - Cowboys and Crossbones on March 5, 2013 at 1:57 pm said:
    
    Ha! Probably so, Phil!
    
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janmasyn on March 4, 2013 at 5:22 pm said:

Wow Phil, awesome shots, the pelican may not be graceful, your work is great.

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- Phil Lanoue on March 4, 2013 at 7:35 pm said:
  
  I greatly appreciate your very kind comments Jan!
  
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Gunta on March 4, 2013 at 5:45 pm said:

Amazing sequence as always!

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- Phil Lanoue on March 4, 2013 at 7:36 pm said:
  
  Thanks very much Gunta, I’m glad you enjoyed the pelican pics!
  
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Mike Powell on March 4, 2013 at 6:46 pm said:

I absolutely love the second shot. The pelican seems to be smiling (and I crack up completely when I look at it) and the fish is visible in his open mouth. Wow!

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- Phil Lanoue on March 4, 2013 at 7:36 pm said:
  
  Thanks a million Mike! I’m happy you enjoyed these pelican photos so much! 🙂
  
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sallywoodphotography on March 4, 2013 at 7:12 pm said:

Love that 2nd image, he looks like he is putting on a show for you, and wants the attention!!!

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- Phil Lanoue on March 4, 2013 at 7:38 pm said:
  
  Sometimes I think these big goofy guys actually enjoy the attention and purposely put on a show. He could have been doing this anywhere but he ‘preformed’ right in front of me. 🙂
  
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  - sallywoodphotography on March 4, 2013 at 8:04 pm said:
    
    Well, since you are there every morning,,,,,,,,,, they feel they owe it to you!!!!
    
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    - Phil Lanoue on March 4, 2013 at 8:21 pm said:
      
      I’m just wondering if they will get tired of seeing me around. 😕 🙂
      
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      - sallywoodphotography on March 4, 2013 at 8:33 pm said:
        
        I don’t think so, it’s funny but the smaller birds like I photograph, the cardinals, etc, really seem to know when I am taking the time to watch them, and they really do put on a show. Much to be learned from our feathered friends! Now the gators,,,, I am not sure about them.
        
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Bella Remy Photography on March 4, 2013 at 9:32 pm said:

It’s always such a pleasure to see your perfect images of this beautiful birds in the marsh. Thanks Phil.

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- Phil Lanoue on March 5, 2013 at 10:49 am said:
  
  Thanks very much for your super kind comments Emily I appreciate it.
  
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Paula on March 5, 2013 at 5:07 am said:

Looking at your phots it makes me wonder where the expression “eating like a bird” came from??!! These guys not only have a huge appetite but an incredible digestive system :O

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- Phil Lanoue on March 5, 2013 at 10:50 am said:
  
  They really must have an incredible digestive system. Not sure if there is a lot of acid or what. But I have seen huge fish go down obviously still wriggling and I don’t know how long it takes for the fish to turn into mush.
  
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Judy on March 5, 2013 at 9:14 am said:

Another great series. It looks like his style of fishing is working better than my husbands.

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- Phil Lanoue on March 5, 2013 at 10:52 am said:
  
  Thanks Judy, yes they are the experts out there. Catching a fish using just our face would be extra tough for us I’m guessin’. 😉 😀
  
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WinstonePhotography on March 5, 2013 at 7:32 pm said:

lovely sequence, especially love the first where he is hidden 🙂

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- Phil Lanoue on March 7, 2013 at 1:21 pm said:
  
  Thanks very much I’m so glad you enjoyed these pics!
  
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  - WinstonePhotography on March 7, 2013 at 1:26 pm said:
    
    🙂
    
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FeyGirl on March 6, 2013 at 12:28 am said:

Ah, I wish I got to see more of these guys….! Such lovely portraits.

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- Phil Lanoue on March 7, 2013 at 1:22 pm said:
  
  Thanks a million! Glad you liked these photos!
  
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roughseasinthemed on March 6, 2013 at 6:25 am said:

I like the last shot, he looks most pleased with himself. As you say, you can almost see a bubble coming out of his head ‘Off now to somewhere else, see what I can pick up in another spot.’

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- Phil Lanoue on March 7, 2013 at 1:23 pm said:
  
  That’s exactly it! We often talk for them and imagine what we think they are likely saying. I have actually made up dopey pics with the word balloon in them. 🙂
  
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adinparadise on March 6, 2013 at 12:41 pm said:

I had to laugh at your comical pics, Phil. It was almost like watching a cartoon. Fabulous captures once again. Your a master of the art. 🙂

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- adinparadise on March 6, 2013 at 1:11 pm said:
  
  Of course that should read, “You are a master of the art.” I do hate bad grammar. 😆
  
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  - Phil Lanoue on March 7, 2013 at 1:21 pm said:
    
    I gotcha! Thanks very much Sylvia I appreciate your very kind comments!
    
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sarahlouisek on March 6, 2013 at 7:33 pm said:

That is amazing! And you caught it all on camera.

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- Phil Lanoue on March 7, 2013 at 1:20 pm said:
  
  Thanks I’m glad you enjoyed this!
  
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