Crashes And Splashes
When brown pelicans are fishing, they hit the water like they were just tossed out of a moving vehicle. Brown pelicans are not extremely graceful looking birds to begin with, and their fishing technique has to be hard on their faces as they continually crash into the water head first.
Here are a few pelicans in action as they crash their way around the marsh hunting for a fish dinner!
Phil Lanoue Photography 
Wow ! Amazing series of shots ! Congrats , Phil !
utham
Thank you very much utham! I’m glad you enjoyed these photos!
Great shots of this terrific behavior! I’ve always enjoyed watching this activity in the cool green water at some of our local inlets along the ocean – it is quite remarkable, but I’ve never managed to get photos like these.
(Super analogy, too!)
I’ve seen them often fishing out over the ocean but the funny thing about this particular area (well, not funny for the pelicans) is that the water is very shallow. This means they have to adjust their diving technique from a straight vertical dive to a sort of sideways slice and scoop. We still saw a couple get banged up.
Glad you liked my analogy, I always did think that’s what they looked like. 🙂
These are incredible captures Phil.
Hey thanks Edith! Glad you enjoyed seeing the fun pelicans!
Crazy sequence, showing this hunting/fishing behavior. Especially the fact that you could caputre this. They’ve got a little spear tip on that bill ….scary.
I did see one really scrape up that bill bill too, must have hit a rock. I guess that’s why the young pelicans were out practicing, like kids everywhere a few bumps and scrapes are bound to occur. It was funny how quickly they learned not to dive down totally head first!
Such amazing action shots, the multiple angles are so amazing.
They are fun birds to watch, but I always worry one will crash and not get back up. They always do get right back up though. 🙂
Great angle shots! I always seem to miss that going in shot and get just a big splash. Interesting one has a band on it’s leg.
I had a tough time getting down the timing on those dives. I realized that if I saw it about to happen then hit the shutter I was always too late.
We saw several that were banded, they must get them really young.
My neck aches and head hurts after seeing your photos, which are, as always brilliant!
I know what you mean it does hurt to watch that. Thanks for checking out the always entertaining pelicans!
Spectacular action shots! Pelicans are such neat birds.
Pelicans and especially the young ones are really fun to watch!
It looks so ungainly (and uncomfortable!) but it certainly seems to work for them!
By the way, Phil, I have just realised what your beautiful picture of Fog at Sunset reminded me of – it’s exactly like one of Turner’s glorious paintings!
They are goofy and fun birds for sure. Thanks very much Maggie I’m glad you like these photos and the foggy sunset!
I am wowed again 😀
I appreciate that Paula thank you!
Thank you, Phil, for providing laughs every time I step on your blog 😀
Well I’m thrilled you enjoy the photos and stories Paula, thanks so much!
Thank you 🙂
Amazing captures, Phil. They really are great nose-diving champions, aren’t they? 😀
That they are so good at it is also what can get them in trouble. I just hope they always remain aware of how shallow that water is. Yikes! We did see one with his face all banged up.
That’s not good. I hope he got a good plastic surgeon. 🙂
Wow! Those are perfectly timed shots.
Thanks Pat, glad you enjoyed seeing the pelicans in action.
The Third one for me – definitely a standalone shot
I appreciate it Scott, thank you.
You gotta love those face plants! Great work nailing those.
I see that at least one is banded. Are many of your local birds banded? At least two of the Bald Eagle juveniles here are.