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Brown Pelicans are impressive low-level fliers.  They can often be seen flying at water level.  When gliding, the breast feathers will almost touch the water.  Then as the bird flaps its wings, it will rise just enough to keep the down-stroke of the wing out of the water..

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This Brown Pelican has bold breeding colours.  In the breeding season, the head is yellower, and the nape of the neck becomes dark brown.

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Brown Pelican
Pelicanus occidentalis

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Brown Pelican
(Pelicanus occidentalis)

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Brown Pelican
(Pelicanus occidentalis)

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For description of the treatment, see the notes.

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Brown Pelican
(Pelicanus occidentalis)

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Brown Pelican
Pelicanus occidentalis

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Brown Pelican
(Pelicanus occidentalis)

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Brown Pelican
(Pelicanus occidentalis)

Brown Pelican

Brown Pelican at Sunset
Pelicanus occidentalis

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Brown Pelican
Pelicanus occidentalis

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Brown Pelican (Pelicanis occidentalis).

Notice that this guy has been banded.

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Brown Pelican
Pelicanus occidentalis

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DSC_9150 - Brown Pelican with Fish Hook

Since Pelicans tend to be really comfortable around people, especially fishermen, it is not uncommon for one to be caught when the fisherman casts his lure.

You can imagine the excitement when you have a four foot bird struggling to get away.  The standard approach is to cut the line, if it doesn't break first.  The State Park Rangers suggest that the hook should be removed and instructions are posted in the parks, but you have to hang on to the bird to do it.

(They suggest that children should not try to remove the hooks.)

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Brown Pelicans are often seen sunning themselves in a way that makes them look like they are drying their armpits.

I like this photograph particularly well.  There is contact between the photographer and the pelican, and the shot is sharp and compostionally strong.

A wonderful bird is the Pelican,
His bill can hold more than his belican.
He can take in his beak
Food enough for a week;
But I'm damned if I see how the helican.
~ Dixon Lanier Merritt

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Brown Pelican at Sunset
Pelicanus occidentalis

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DSC_9133 - Brown Pelican

The Brown Pelican has to be number one in the list.  I believe that the Brown Pelican is known as the Clown Prince of Florida. 

This one is a very colourful character.  The yellow tinge to the feathers on the head are spring colours.  On this day in January, this one was the only one I saw with spring colours.  This one also has a distint reddish tinge to the beak, which sets him apart.

Pelicans always seem as if they are clothed in plastic or something.  Their feathers just don't seem feathery enough.  There is nothing wrong with the photo...that's the way he looks.

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A Brown Pelican hangs around, possibly hoping to get a handout from the fisherman.  Shot in the morning at the Pier in Fort De Soto Park, St.  Petersburg.

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This Pelican was on the dock outside of the Bama Packing warehouse in Key West.  On the previous day, when I didn't have my camera, he and his friends put on a show by walking into the warehouse while the fish were being filletted.  Of course the hose was turned on them and they went scampering out.

DSC_13865 - Pelican Taking Flight

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DSC_13867 - Pelican in Flight

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With so little tail for stability, the Brown Pelicans should just crash.  In fact, though, they cruise beautfully at any altitude.

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This Brown Pelican was shot from the old bridge at Bahai Honda State Park on Bahai Honda Key in Florida.

DSC_13588 - Pelican with Fish Line

Here is another unfortunate bird.  If you look carefully, you can see the hook and line; the bird's neck is hooked and sun is catching the line.

DSC_13870 - Pelicans Posing

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Brown Pelican
(Pelicanus occidentalis)