A colony of about 100 Brown Pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis) were gathered along the shoreline when Jello and I took our morning walk, September 14, 2020. What a joy to watch them flying above the waves, swimming in the splash and swash of surf and snacking upon a pod of fry.
With a 6’6” (2 meter) wingspan these magnificent creatures had my rapt attention.
Due to the fog and my adherence to staying at a distance, the photos are muted and a bit fuzzy. Still, the energy and communal affability of the colony is perceptible.
By September, breeding adults are molting out of their bright summer colors into a white crest that stretches from their crown down the nape of their long neck. Juveniles are grey brown with white breast feathers.
Fun fact: gulls sometimes perch on a pelican’s head and steal fish right out of their mouth!
These two pairs were at the forefront of the colony, leading me to think they likely are elders of the group.
“Poetry in motion.”
Lindy Low LeCoq 
Definitely poetry in motion. Stunning monochrome photo of the wonders of nature. What a wonderful event to experience! ❤
Thank you Olga. Living where monochrome happens naturally, all I do is click the shutter!
I used to love watching the pelicans when I visited relatives in Florida, thought that would be a fun animal to be. Then I remembered when my daughter quit the dive team, and a friend said something about “all that banging your head against the water.” I decided that all that diving and banging your head against the water would get old after a while. They’re still fun to watch!