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.

28 thoughts on “A Little Late Fishing”

Gunta on January 5, 2014 at 8:37 pm said:

I’ve seen them skimming along the edge of the surf here. We only seem to get the brown ones here.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Phil Lanoue on January 6, 2014 at 5:32 pm said:
  
  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.
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
acuriousgal on January 5, 2014 at 8:39 pm said:

Awesome…..great action shot, Phil

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Phil Lanoue on January 6, 2014 at 5:33 pm said:
  
  Thanks for checking them out and glad you liked them!
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
Dave_TX on January 5, 2014 at 10:08 pm said:

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.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Phil Lanoue on January 6, 2014 at 5:36 pm said:
  
  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.
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
The Wanderlust Gene on January 5, 2014 at 10:29 pm said:

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 🙂

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Phil Lanoue on January 6, 2014 at 5:37 pm said:
  
  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.
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
anotherday2paradise on January 5, 2014 at 10:57 pm said:

Great pics, Phil. Love the detail in the last one. 🙂

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Phil Lanoue on January 6, 2014 at 5:38 pm said:
  
  Brown pelicans can be a bit goofy Sylvia but they are also fun to watch. Thanks for checking these out!
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
Ellen and Elbert(Corky) Cutright on January 5, 2014 at 11:37 pm said:

Great Set Phil!! Amazing Detail– Thanks!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Phil Lanoue on January 6, 2014 at 5:38 pm said:
  
  I’m really happy you enjoyed these, thanks!
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
photographybycalliec on January 6, 2014 at 2:49 am said:

Excellent!!! at least it got the fish in the end

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Phil Lanoue on January 6, 2014 at 5:39 pm said:
  
  Thanks! And this guy did manage to grab a few fish that I saw so he’s learning. 🙂
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
jeannemeeks on January 6, 2014 at 8:38 am said:

This first time I saw brown pelican “fishing”, I thought it had fallen from the sky by accident. Love the detail.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Phil Lanoue on January 6, 2014 at 5:40 pm said:
  
  Ha ha good description! I always tell people they hit the water like they were just tossed out of a fast moving vehicle. 🙂
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
The Dancing Rider on January 6, 2014 at 11:13 am said:

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!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Phil Lanoue on January 6, 2014 at 5:41 pm said:
  
  This youngster is learning and seems to be doing well. Thanks, I’m glad you liked seeing these pelican photos!
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
Patrizia M. on January 6, 2014 at 11:33 am said:

Dai non è poi così brutto poverino, nel suo piccolo è carino anche lui 🙂
Bellissimi scatti Phil, sono stupendi.
Ciao, Pat

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Phil Lanoue on January 6, 2014 at 5:42 pm said:
  
  E ‘una specie di buffo uccello in cerca. 😀
  Grazie per guardare queste foto
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
foxleylady on January 6, 2014 at 11:41 am said:

Maybe not the most graceful but certainly effective!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Phil Lanoue on January 6, 2014 at 5:41 pm said:
  
  He does indeed get the job done, doesn’t he?! 🙂
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
Rick Alonzo Photography on January 6, 2014 at 7:23 pm said:

Cool series! Love the first and last shots.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Phil Lanoue on January 6, 2014 at 11:41 pm said:
  
  Hey thanks Rick glad to know you liked the pelican pics!
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
Erv on January 6, 2014 at 9:34 pm said:

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

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Phil Lanoue on January 6, 2014 at 11:42 pm said:
  
  Well I really appreciate you looking and commenting Erv, thanks!
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
niasunset on January 7, 2014 at 11:05 am said:

WOW!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Phil Lanoue on January 8, 2014 at 2:08 pm said:
  
  Thanks Nia! Glad you liked these!
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓