Incoming Flight

Earlier this week I watched an adult brown pelican come gliding in from out over the salt marsh. Soon he was joined topside by a friend, then flew solo again across the water.

28 thoughts on “Incoming Flight”

Gunta on January 29, 2014 at 5:48 pm said:

They’re actually quite graceful for their size – in flight. 🙂

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- Phil Lanoue on January 29, 2014 at 6:14 pm said:
  
  Yes they are very nice flyers but when fishing they dive and hit the water like they were just tossed out of a moving vehicle at high speed. Very unlike the fishing technique of the white pelicans.
  
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Lyle Krahn on January 29, 2014 at 5:52 pm said:

I think pelicans are some of the nicest gliders. Great shots.

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- Phil Lanoue on January 29, 2014 at 6:16 pm said:
  
  Thanks Lyle, glad you liked these pelican shots. They do glide rather elegantly but then hit the water with apparent total disregard for personal safety.
  
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wwwdaniru on January 29, 2014 at 6:00 pm said:

never saw a brown pelican, as always awesome pictures!

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- Phil Lanoue on January 29, 2014 at 6:17 pm said:
  
  Glad I was able to show you the very interesting brown pelican. These are adults and are no longer very brown, but as juveniles they are mostly brown. I have a series of a juvie brown pelican queued up for posting soon.
  
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Cowboys and Crossbones on January 29, 2014 at 6:45 pm said:

A tandem flight. How cool!

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- Phil Lanoue on January 29, 2014 at 7:45 pm said:
  
  It is funny when they match each other’s speed and direction.
  
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edithlevyphotography on January 29, 2014 at 7:01 pm said:

Incredible captures Phil

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- Phil Lanoue on January 29, 2014 at 7:46 pm said:
  
  Thanks a bunch Edith I’m happy you like these pelican pics!
  
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Ellen and Corky Cutright on January 29, 2014 at 9:41 pm said:

Great Birds–Great Capture!! Thanks, Phil!!

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- Phil Lanoue on January 29, 2014 at 9:51 pm said:
  
  Thank you very much for checking these out I appreciate it!
  
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Littlesundog on January 29, 2014 at 9:59 pm said:

Stunning action shots!! Phil, I have to ask… what kind of camera do you use and what type of zoom lens? I’m sure the lens is one that is hugely out of my price range. Your shots are stunning and so crisp. I know you spend a lot of time patiently waiting, and you have an eye for nature photography, but I’m curious about the tools of your trade.

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- Phil Lanoue on January 30, 2014 at 6:01 pm said:
  
  Well thanks very much for your kind words and I’m thrilled you enjoy the photos!
  I use a Canon 7D with a Canon 300 f4 often with a 1.4 extender attached. The 300 is not terribly expensive and in my view is one of the all time single best value lenses Canon makes in terms of sharpness and image quality in it’s class.
  
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  - Littlesundog on January 30, 2014 at 8:15 pm said:
    
    Thanks Phil! I really enjoy your work. Just amazing!
    
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    - Phil Lanoue on February 1, 2014 at 6:11 pm said:
      
      I appreciate that, thank you much!
      
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anotherday2paradise on January 29, 2014 at 11:02 pm said:

Fabulous pics, Phil. We had one doing some extremely low flying over our pond today. I wish I could get pics like yours. 🙂

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- Phil Lanoue on January 30, 2014 at 6:02 pm said:
  
  They are very nice flyers just rough landers. 😕 Thanks, glad you liked these Sylvia!
  
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gems3125 on January 30, 2014 at 1:05 am said:

Reblogged this on skyhawk551.

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- Phil Lanoue on January 30, 2014 at 6:02 pm said:
  
  Thanks much for the reblog, I appreciate it! 🙂
  
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Garden Walk Garden Talk on January 30, 2014 at 2:35 am said:

Very beautiful Phil. I never get to see pelicans so I can only imagine what a thrill this is to see them as often as you do.

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- Phil Lanoue on January 30, 2014 at 6:04 pm said:
  
  During the summer we mostly see brown pelicans from the beach flying in close low above the ocean but then in winter some come off the beach a bit and check out the marsh. Thanks I’m glad you liked these pics!
  
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janmasyn on January 30, 2014 at 2:41 am said:

Great action shots!!!

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- Phil Lanoue on January 30, 2014 at 6:05 pm said:
  
  Thanks Jan I appreciate you checking them out!
  
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foxleylady on January 30, 2014 at 5:50 am said:

Lovely pictures Phil, the detail in the last one is brilliant! They are so elegant in flight.

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- Phil Lanoue on January 30, 2014 at 6:06 pm said:
  
  They certainly are much nicer flyers then they are landers. They really hit the water hard and quite ungracefully.
  Thanks much Maggie!
  
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Frank Lipari on April 8, 2016 at 2:38 pm said:

Hi Phil. I am an artist painter and I would like to use one of your brown Pelican photos as a reference for a piece I am working on. Let me know your thoughts. Thanks, Frank.

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- Phil Lanoue on April 8, 2016 at 10:52 pm said:
  
  Hi Frank, thanks for writing and I appreciate your interest in my photos.
  By all means go ahead and feel free to use the pelican pic as reference for your art.
  Once you have the piece completed I would love to see a picture so if you get a chance email a shot over to me.
  planoue@Gmail.com
  Thanks
  Phil
  
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