Pelican Up A Tree

Earlier this weekend, I was quite surprised to realize that a bird I saw flapping around on the top of a tree turned out to be a brown pelican.

This time of year we routinely see wood storks, egrets and herons perched in trees but never a pelican who is more likely to be seen resting while floating along in the water. These are very large birds so I was even more shocked that it was able to find a secure branch that high up that would support it’s weight.

After moving around and apparently finding a comfortable position, the pelican settled down for a pleasant late evening nap.

14 thoughts on “Pelican Up A Tree”

anotherday2paradise on September 28, 2014 at 2:19 pm said:

That’s totally amazing, Phil. Great shots, all of them, but that last one is priceless. 🙂

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- Phil Lanoue on September 28, 2014 at 4:30 pm said:
  
  It was funny to see this big bird sitting in a tree like they do it every day. I think it was confused. 🙂
  
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The Lite Rider on September 28, 2014 at 3:55 pm said:

That is a large guy. He must be a bit lighter than he looks. He blends right in with the tree. Love how he is content and resting.

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- Phil Lanoue on September 28, 2014 at 4:31 pm said:
  
  It was almost dark by the time I found this guy and I left him sleeping. I wonder if he spent the night up there!?
  
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dinajohnston on September 28, 2014 at 5:36 pm said:

Great shots! There”s a big old fir tree next to a boat ramp here that the pelicans sleep in. I always find it weird to see them up there.

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Lyle Krahn on September 29, 2014 at 12:14 am said:

That first shot looks like he’s telling you to go to bed already and leave me alone.

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foxleylady on September 29, 2014 at 5:43 am said:

That must take some doing and I lovely the satisfied, comfortable look in the last shot! We saw white pelicans in trees along the Swan river in Perth, Australia, and I was amazed such big birds could roost like that!

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Linda on September 29, 2014 at 7:49 am said:

Never saw a Pelican in a tree!!! This is a first!….They usually love water and are near it, but never in a tree…what a shot!!

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Charlie@Seattle Trekker on September 29, 2014 at 11:24 am said:

Amazing photo, I was not aware these large birds would perch like that until I discovered a blue heron in a tree just recently…Love the photos, you really captured a very interesting expression from this bird.

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Rolling Harbour on September 29, 2014 at 6:19 pm said:

Surprising – I thought they preferred to perch on something more solid / stable than a top branch. Maybe he liked the view ! RH

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Gunta on September 30, 2014 at 1:03 am said:

You never cease to amaze me with your terrific shots.

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Cowboys and Crossbones on September 30, 2014 at 1:45 pm said:

That looks might uncomfortable to me….I will compare this to me trying to squeeze into jeans that are about two sizes too small. Great shots!

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- Phil Lanoue on September 30, 2014 at 2:31 pm said:
  
  Hey I wonder if you have the same spooky intruder as me. Someone has been sneaking into my closet at night and swapping out my pants for smaller tighter ones. I’m not happy about that.
  
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  - Cowboys and Crossbones on October 1, 2014 at 4:36 pm said:
    
    I think we do have the same intruder. I’ll put Ted on watch tonight and let you know what I find.
    
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