Friday, June 12, 2026

Brown Pelicans - Part 2

As we suffer through this heatwave, let's cool off with some Brown Pelicans.

A Brown Pelican flying.

They skim the water with seemingly little effort, then slowly glide up, twist to the side, and suddenly make a corkscrew dive.

Brown Pelican diving.

I could watch this all day - and I did! For several days in early spring, watching pelicans dive was my way to relax and focus on the present.

Brown Pelican being pursued by a Laughing Gull.

Brown Pelican looking down at the water.

Brown Pelican starting a dive.

Brown Pelican about to pierce the water.

Wings of a Brown Pelican sticking out of the water.

Cormorants dive after the pelicans, hoping to steal their catch.

A Double-Crested Cormorant chases a Brown pelican as it dives.

Two Brown Pelicans fishing.

Three Brown Pelicans fishing.

Three Brown Pelicans diving.

Pelicans diving in sequence.

A Brown Pelican rolls into a dive.

Brown Pelican in diving pose.

Brown Pelican about to spear the water.

Laughing Gulls also follow the pelicans as they go fishing.

Laughing Gulls follow a Brown Pelican.

This is an immature pelican casually skimming the water.

A young Brown Pelican skims the water.

Just one slow wing beat is all it takes to keep up the momentum.

Brown Pelican looks at the camera as it flies along the water.

A young Brown Pelican flies with its wings stretched straight.

This is an adult in breeding plumage. Up close, they're really beautiful with dark burgundy feathers lining the backs of their necks.

Adult Brown Pelican in breeding plumage.

Some Brown Pelicans have been spotted this week off the shore of Staten Island. Keep an eye out for giant gray birds with huge bills diving or flying in squadron formation.
 
 
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