A Little Late Fishing
Late this afternoon, just as we were leaving the marsh pond, this juvenile brown pelican showed up for some end of day fishing. Brown pelicans, unlike the white pelicans, are not very graceful birds. Their fishing technique basically consists of a crash into the water then a scoop up of whatever was hopefully trapped in that large throat pouch.
We saw this youngster snag a few fish before it headed off toward the beach for the evening.
Phil Lanoue Photography 
I’ve seen them skimming along the edge of the surf here. We only seem to get the brown ones here.
I see brown pelicans at all times of the year out over the ocean but occasionally they will come in a bit and fish at the marsh pond or in the salt marsh.
They have to alter their fishing technique for the shallow water of the pond.
Awesome…..great action shot, Phil
Thanks for checking them out and glad you liked them!
Browns are amazing wave top flyers and I can watch them dive bomb fish all day. I don’t think I’ve ever seen one catch fish from low level. I don’t think I’ve ever seen one catch a fish in the manner you recorded.
I see brown pelicans at all times of the year out over the ocean but occasionally they will come in a bit and fish at the marsh pond or in the salt marsh.
They have to alter their fishing technique for the shallow water of the pond. They can not do a vertical dive like they would in the ocean, they would break their necks trying that in the pond. 🙂
There were American White Pelicans out in the marsh yesterday as well. Those fish entirely differently then the brown pelicans. The white ones never fly at all to fish, they simply swim along in the water and tilt their heads to the side and scoop fish as they go.
Isolated like that, its flight and fishing technique may not be ‘graceful’, Phil, but beautiful and full of the magic of life. Wonderful captures – thanks for showing them to us. New Years greetings 🙂
I suppose they look a bit more graceful when seen like this, but in reality they hit the water like they were just tossed out of a moving vehicle. 🙂
Thanks and I’m glad you enjoy seeing our portions of nature here.
Great pics, Phil. Love the detail in the last one. 🙂
Brown pelicans can be a bit goofy Sylvia but they are also fun to watch. Thanks for checking these out!
Great Set Phil!! Amazing Detail– Thanks!
I’m really happy you enjoyed these, thanks!
Excellent!!! at least it got the fish in the end
Thanks! And this guy did manage to grab a few fish that I saw so he’s learning. 🙂
This first time I saw brown pelican “fishing”, I thought it had fallen from the sky by accident. Love the detail.
Ha ha good description! I always tell people they hit the water like they were just tossed out of a fast moving vehicle. 🙂
I do think this young guy looks graceful though in his own way – especially the first two photos. Love your description of how they fish! You did capture that!
This youngster is learning and seems to be doing well. Thanks, I’m glad you liked seeing these pelican photos!
Dai non è poi così brutto poverino, nel suo piccolo è carino anche lui 🙂
Bellissimi scatti Phil, sono stupendi.
Ciao, Pat
E ‘una specie di buffo uccello in cerca. 😀
Grazie per guardare queste foto
Maybe not the most graceful but certainly effective!
He does indeed get the job done, doesn’t he?! 🙂
Cool series! Love the first and last shots.
Hey thanks Rick glad to know you liked the pelican pics!
Now that is just a down right awesome set Phil!!!! What a site to see in real time. Thanks for all the great things you post for us to see!!!!
Erv
Well I really appreciate you looking and commenting Erv, thanks!
WOW!
Thanks Nia! Glad you liked these!