New Fishing Style
Yesterday, at late afternoon, we had a few adult brown pelicans come into the salt marsh and begin fishing. Except they were not using the typical brown pelican fishing style which generally involves flying around and then doing an almost vertical head first dive into the water.
There were a lot of small fish in this one area so that’s where the pelicans landed and stayed. So rather than fly and fish, they floated and paddled along the water in circles, occasionally dunking down their head to scoop up tiny fish and shrimp.
After plunging it’s huge bill into the water, the pelican would keep it’s head down while straining the water out of the bill so that only the catch would remain.
I never saw any of these guys snatch anything large, they mostly just came up with small marine creatures that sometimes I could barely see. But they definitely caught things they liked because I could see them swallowing the snack after practically every plunge.
As it began to get dark I had to leave these hard working pelicans, but it was quite an entertaining show for the time I spent watching these large birds feed.
Phil Lanoue Photography 
I have spent hours watching the brown peilcans off the Calif coast dive and circle. Your shots are excellent and tell a wonderful story of” the day in the life of a pelican”
I’m glad you enjoyed seeing the pelicans in action! They are big fun birds and it’s nice to see them vary their fishing style.
These shots are so clear and with so much to see of how a pelican eats, you have really captured the moment, and all the different shots of how a pelican fishes, your photography is amazing…you can even see inside the pelicans mouth!!!! What a capture!!!!! Amazing and wonderful!!! Thanks Phil
Thanks so much Linda I’m glad you enjoyed seeing this big guy fishing!
Great shots. Totally awesome captures. 😀
I appreciate the kind words, thanks very much!
Great shots of the process. These guys are quite adept and know when they don’t have to dive in. Interesting how their eyes are wall-eyed — I think there’s a reason for that! 🙂
You can really see them tilt their head as they are about to hit the water, I guess they need that side view. 🙂
WOW! I never knew how big a pelican’s mouth was before I saw your photos. Holy cow! Sounds like they had a small buffet rather than a Thanksgiving style meal but swimsuit season is just around the corner, ya know!
They sort of look like me as I prepare to attack a plate of chili nachos. I’m lucky to have a cold beer to wash it down though, all they have is icky ocean water.
Scatti splendidi, hai colto ogni attimo della pesca di questo pellicano.
L’ultima foto è buffa, mi ha fatto ridere 🙂
Ciao, Pat
Grazie Pat! 🙂
Great shots. I love to watch the pelicans.
They really do put on a nice show, very entertaining guys.
Great perspective. But throat hurts just looking at them.
It was fun having them fish right in front of me but yes, that is some big mouth.
Oh my God Phil these are amazing. I love the last one.
Thanks a bunch for checking these out Edith and glad you liked seeing the pelicans.
Such interesting shots, Phil! All that detail is great – I hadn’t realised pelicans have a hook on the end of the bill (and isn’t it just so huuuge!).
They really are big, funny birds and I was lucky to have some come in close and stay around for a bit.
These are too cute! You really caught his funny face.
They certainly can make some funny faces especially when they are really into their fishing. 🙂
Amazing captures, Phil. That mouth is absolutely cavernous! 🙂
That is indeed a HUGE mouth, you could fit a sportscar in there. 🙂
Very good photos! I like that second one, I’ve never seen anything like that before! Great shots as always, Phil!