Brown Pelicans

Hubby and I have “flown the coop”, or “migrated”, from the mid-Atlantic Chesapeake Bay region for the winter. (Either pun works!)

We are now along South Carolina’s Atlantic coastline. The purpose was to escape the mid-Atlantic for a warmer winter a little further south. Well, that fell flat on it’s face at the start, we got to ride through the Nor’Eastern winter snow/ice storm that hit South Carolina hard.

Temps continue to improve. Today was 66 degrees and gorgeous. Yay!

Probably one of the first birds everyone sees when they reach the SC coast is the huge, bulky, yet elegant, Brown Pelican in flight.

Brown Pelicans live along southern and western sea coasts. They are fairly common today—an excellent example of a species’ recovery from pesticide pollution that once placed them at the brink of extinction.

Their wingspan can reach over 6 feet (200 cm).

Flocks (or “Squadrons”) glide above the surf, rising and falling in a graceful echo of the waves.

I took all of these photos from our balcony.

Well…..I cannot end without an ‘end’ of a Brown Pelican.

I hope to find these unique beauties perched somewhere while here for some profile shots to later share!

Tags: brown pelican, flight, nature, pelican, photo, photographs, photography, photos, South Carolina

28 thoughts on “Brown Pelicans”

Tom's Nature-up-close Photography and Mindfulness Blog on 01/09/2018 at 8:16 PM said:

Yes, truly elegant birds! Great shots! 🙂

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- bayphotosbydonna on 01/09/2018 at 8:29 PM said:
  
  Thanks Tom! 🙂
  
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Susan Hale on 01/09/2018 at 8:35 PM said:

Wow! Great shots, Donna! The third one is my favorite — amazing detail! Thanks for sharing.

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- bayphotosbydonna on 01/10/2018 at 7:16 AM said:
  
  Thanks Susan! Mine too!
  
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A Curious Introvert on 01/09/2018 at 8:58 PM said:

Wonderful photos and it does look gorgeous there.🙂

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- bayphotosbydonna on 01/10/2018 at 7:17 AM said:
  
  Thanks Cimple! 🙂
  
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Stephen Talabac on 01/09/2018 at 9:14 PM said:

Donna: I’ve always loved photographing the Pelicans whenever we’ve visited some of the FL beaches. Love the way they glide over the ocean surface, and always try to catch them is a steep dive into the water to go fishing. Your close-up shot (3rd photo) has FANTASTIC lighting!!!

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- bayphotosbydonna on 01/10/2018 at 7:19 AM said:
  
  Thanks Steve! They are fun and challenging. I’ve had several squandrons fly right at me and get too close with my zoom lens, I lucked out on that one I think! 🙂
  
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avian101 on 01/09/2018 at 9:47 PM said:

Great shots of the Brown Pelicans! They are good subjects for photos. Thanks Donna. 🙂

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- bayphotosbydonna on 01/10/2018 at 7:20 AM said:
  
  Thanks HJ! I’m hoping to find some perched somewhere for some nice shots. 🙂
  
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Gunta on 01/09/2018 at 10:34 PM said:

Sending lots of sympathy for the nasty weather you encountered. Looks like its improving now. Great pelican shots. We occasionally see them skimming the waves out here, but mostly at a distance. Not close enough for a good shot.

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- bayphotosbydonna on 01/10/2018 at 7:22 AM said:
  
  Thanks Gunta, I can’t reach many too because of their distance over the ocean. But, my, they are beautiful to watch. 🙂
  
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aussiebirder on 01/09/2018 at 11:17 PM said:

Donna your side of the world is freezing while ours cooks, certainly extreme weather days. Good you both got to get away despite the weather following you. Your brown Pelican is not unlike our Aussie ones but for colour of plumage. They are quite clever birds when looking for food. Have a great week!

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- bayphotosbydonna on 01/10/2018 at 7:30 AM said:
  
  Thanks Ashley! It seems crazy when I read your posts and you mention a heat wave while we’re freezing. The snow storm was rare for where we’re at, so hopefully we don’t see another one before departure. To be happy with our temps here, all we have to do is look at temps at home, and then we smile. 🙂 I’ll be searching for more Pelicans perched some where. I love their beaks!!
  
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blhphotoblog on 01/10/2018 at 4:37 AM said:

Spectacular birds, almost pre-historic.

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- bayphotosbydonna on 01/10/2018 at 7:36 AM said:
  
  Thank you Brian, and they do look almost pre-historic. 🙂
  
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David on 01/10/2018 at 5:11 PM said:

Some pretty terrific shots. I especially like the four birds skimming along with the wave and the solo shot above them with that really fantastic lighting.

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- bayphotosbydonna on 01/11/2018 at 8:31 AM said:
  
  Thanks David! It’s been challenging fun! 🙂
  
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shutterbug on 01/10/2018 at 7:53 PM said:

Fabulous photos! I love the black and white.

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- bayphotosbydonna on 01/11/2018 at 8:33 AM said:
  
  Thanks Shutterbug! The B&W was shot underexposed, but I still loved their silhouetting outline so I tried it in B&W and loved it myself. 🙂
  
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Ellen Jennings on 01/10/2018 at 9:37 PM said:

The Pelicans are such fun to watch and you’ve captured some great shots of their antics. So glad for us all that the weather has improved.I hope you continue to enjoy your temporary home and the area birds.

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- bayphotosbydonna on 01/11/2018 at 8:36 AM said:
  
  Thanks Ellen! Glad the weather has improved for your area, we’ve watched the news and it’s been terrible for you. I haven’t ventured out for birds yet, too busy going places with hubby, who’d prefer to not go birding. 😉
  
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Cornell on 01/11/2018 at 12:10 PM said:

Their wingspan is very impressive.

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- bayphotosbydonna on 01/11/2018 at 6:24 PM said:
  
  They are, thanks Cornell!
  
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Lisa Rest on 01/12/2018 at 3:59 PM said:

Just gorgeous. What wonderful captures! I love Brown Pelicans. Especially when they dive like Boobies… 🙂

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- bayphotosbydonna on 01/12/2018 at 7:07 PM said:
  
  Thanks Lisa! Their dive is amazing! 🙂
  
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tanjabrittonwriter on 01/13/2018 at 9:44 PM said:

Thank you for sharing these beautiful shots, Donna-from your balcony! I have yet to see one of these beauties!

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- bayphotosbydonna on 01/14/2018 at 8:21 AM said:
  
  Thanks Tanja! I wish they’d come a little closer to my balcony, lol. Been telling hubby I need a longer lens. 🙂
  
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