These appear to be Australian Pelicans because of the pink bills. Or do American White Pelicans have pink bills in the winter? Further research needed.

I'm glad that's settled.

Prehistoric looking pelicans sun and preen in the winter sun.

It was beautiful day in Santa Cruz and I had been photographing the sea lions when this pelican landed a few feet away on the pier railing.

If there was ever a compelling visual argument for birds being the modern descendants of dinosaurs, its the pelican. I could easily imagine them flying just out of reach above the snapping jaws of some aquatic sea monster.

This is a close-up of the same Pelican I posted yesterday,

Here is a view of a pelican you don't usually see. A head on view of its enormous bill.

These two pelicans were one pair of dozens loitering around the marina, all waiting for a fishy opportunity. The one on the left was an immature bird which had not grown into its adult plumage.

A large group of pelicans were perched on the fish processing equipment.

Pelican posed aboard an old fishing boat.

The fisherman hadn't noticed that a pelican had just landed next to him on the pier.

It surprises me that a big bird like a Pelican can fly so effortlessly.

A flock of pelicans flying in typical formation with Anacapa island in the background.

The pelican glides effortlessly over the surface of the sea.