Diving For Dinner

Yesterday there were a few brown pelicans fishing in the salt marsh in water that, due to low tide, was more shallow than they’re accustomed to. The pelicans are able to alter their fishing style so that instead of the usual almost vertical dive from above, they glide along in the water and utilize kind of a hop and dive technique.

That worked out fine for this big guy here who scored himself a nice fish that quickly went from being trapped in that huge pouch to down the gullet.

24 thoughts on “Diving For Dinner”

Judy on March 3, 2015 at 7:15 pm said:

Excellent action and texture detail on the pelican and its hapless prey.

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- Phil Lanoue on March 3, 2015 at 7:32 pm said:
  
  Thanks Judy, glad you enjoyed seeing the pelican in action!
  
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Patrizia M. on March 3, 2015 at 7:20 pm said:

Che magnifici momenti hai colto con i tuoi bellissimi scatti. Sempre stupende le tue foto, bravissimo Phil!
Ciao, Pat

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- Phil Lanoue on March 3, 2015 at 7:33 pm said:
  
  Grazie Pat. Sono felice che ti piace il pellicano!
  
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Charlie@Seattle Trekker on March 3, 2015 at 7:27 pm said:

Amazing action sequence…Love the amazing detail you captured in this fast paced action sequence.

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- Phil Lanoue on March 3, 2015 at 7:34 pm said:
  
  I’m happy you enjoyed seeing the pelican in action Charlie! Thanks
  
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Jim Davis on March 3, 2015 at 9:16 pm said:

Fantastic action photography, love the sequence.

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- Phil Lanoue on March 5, 2015 at 1:24 pm said:
  
  Glad you liked these Jim!
  
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Lyle Krahn on March 4, 2015 at 3:11 am said:

That brown pelican and you were both showing off great technique! Does the winner get the snack???

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- Phil Lanoue on March 5, 2015 at 1:25 pm said:
  
  I know for a fact that I will be getting a snack later, these pelicans are on their own. Thanks for checking these out.
  
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Raewyn's Photos on March 4, 2015 at 4:27 pm said:

Great photos. That would be fun in a slide show.

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- Phil Lanoue on March 5, 2015 at 1:26 pm said:
  
  Thanks a bunch glad you liked seeing the pelicans!
  
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Pat on March 4, 2015 at 8:08 pm said:

What a great sequence.

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- Phil Lanoue on March 5, 2015 at 1:26 pm said:
  
  They are fun to watch and photograph.
  
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Linda on March 4, 2015 at 10:26 pm said:

Great photos, I wonder do the pelicans hang out at the salt marsh all winter and then go back to the ocean when it gets warmer, that would happen when I lived in Florida, they would all congregate in the canals in the winter and then take off and go back to the ocean when it got warmer. These pelicans you have pictures are look a bit different, with their beautiful colors, but no matter what color they are I love them…thanks Phil

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- Phil Lanoue on March 5, 2015 at 1:29 pm said:
  
  We can usually see brown pelicans 12 months of the year out around the ocean, but many feed a bit inland in winter but I’m sure I could still find some along the beach. These are adult brown pelicans but only look brown as immature juveniles.
  
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foxleylady on March 5, 2015 at 6:55 am said:

Terrific photos, Phil, especially no 5! Isn’t it wonderful how adaptable our wildlife is to every situation!

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- Phil Lanoue on March 5, 2015 at 1:31 pm said:
  
  We have also seen wading birds such as egrets adjust their feeding style to match up with available food and start using a swoop and dive technique that is more like an osprey then an egret.
  
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The Lite Rider on March 6, 2015 at 5:24 pm said:

Great action here! Very interesting how they “know” the water depth.

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- Phil Lanoue on March 8, 2015 at 12:59 pm said:
  
  I saw one with a banged up bill so he must have not been paying as much attention as his friends. ☺
  
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eduardolibby on March 13, 2015 at 2:01 pm said:

Great sequence!

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- Phil Lanoue on March 13, 2015 at 3:42 pm said:
  
  I’m glad you liked these pelican photos! Thanks
  
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Kyle on April 29, 2015 at 3:13 am said:

Amazing captures here too! Wow that fish looks huge, could you see it desperately struggling/wriggling inside the Pelicans pouch the whole time? So in that last shot does the bird swallow the unlucky prey alive down to its stomach?! It can digest it bones and all as well? Thanks for the info/feedback! 😉

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- Phil Lanoue on April 29, 2015 at 9:21 am said:
  
  Thanks very much for looking and commenting I appreciate it.
  Yes indeed birds such as pelicans and herons will swallow down even a large fish alive and whole. I don’t know how long the fish remains alive once swallowed but it can’t be very long and the birds must have an amazing digestive system.
  
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