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Animalblog, Pelicans Postings

Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)
(1 of 15) (340164 views)

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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. external link

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.


Santa Cruz, California   •  (Photo posted Sunday 21 March, 2010)   •  (Photo taken 16:54:42 Wednesday 10 March, 2010)   •  © 2010 Terry Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #Brown_Pelican
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American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos)
(2 of 15) (384647 views)

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Yesterday I thought these birds might be Australian Pelicans internal link but with further research I found they are American White Pelicans external link in non-breeding plumage.

I'm glad that's settled.


(2007) Delta waters near Oakley, California   •  Photo Posted Wednesday, October 10, 2007   •  © 2007 Terry Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License
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American White Pelican
(3 of 15) (282223 views)

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There was this one lone white pelican at the nature center that day. It was probably an injured bird being nursed back to health, or it just knew a good hand-out when it saw one.


(2008) Lake Merritt, Oakland, California   •  Photo Posted Wednesday, February 20, 2008   •  © 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License
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Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)
(4 of 15) (176900 views)

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As the boat approached the little cove where we going to snorkle, a brown pelican external link in juvenile plumage greeted us with wary boredom.
Quepos, Costa Rica   •  (Photo posted Sunday, 8 February 2009)   •  (Photo taken 09:35:20 Wednesday 17 September, 2008)   •  © 2009 Terry Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License
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Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)
(5 of 15) (338176 views)

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Prehistoric looking pelicans sun and preen in the winter sun. external link


Bodega Bay, California   •  (Photo posted Wednesday 20 January, 2010)   •  (Photo taken 11:23:01 Sunday 9 November, 2008)   •  © 2010 Terry Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License
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White Pelicans
(6 of 15) (389918 views)

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Taking photos from a boat was a new experience. I was able to get much closer to this flock of Pelicans before they took flight.

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.


(2007) Delta waters near Oakley, California   •  Photo Posted Tuesday, October 9, 2007   •  © 2007 Terry Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License
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Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis )
(7 of 15) (338903 views)

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


Santa Cruz, California   •  (Photo posted Sunday 21 March, 2010)   •  (Photo taken 16:54:42 Wednesday 10 March, 2010)   •  © 2010 Terry Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #Pelican_Head
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Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)
(8 of 15) (338186 views)

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


Santa Cruz, California   •  (Photo posted Saturday 27 March, 2010)   •  (Photo taken 16:55:17 Wednesday 10 March, 2010)   •  © 2010 Terry Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #Head_On
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Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis californicus)
(9 of 15) (338090 views)

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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.


Elkhorn Slough, Moss Landing, California   •  (Photo posted Saturday 22 May, 2010)   •  (Photo taken 09:54:28 Friday 12 March, 2010)   •  © 2010 Terry Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #Moss_Landing
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Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis californicus)
(10 of 15) (338142 views)

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


Elkhorn Slough, Moss Landing, California   •  (Photo posted Saturday 22 May, 2010)   •  (Photo taken 09:49:27 Friday 12 March, 2010)   •  © 2010 Terry Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #Fishing_Equipment
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Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis californicus)
(11 of 15) (338283 views)

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Pelican posed aboard an old fishing boat.


Elkhorn Slough, Moss Landing, California   •  (Photo posted Wednesday 2 June, 2010)   •  (Photo taken 011:25:24 Friday 12 March, 2010)   •  © 2010 Terry Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #Fishing_Boat
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Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis )
(12 of 15) (338672 views)

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


Santa Cruz, California   •  (Photo posted Thursday 10 June, 2010)   •  (Photo taken 16:54:42 Wednesday 10 March, 2010)   •  © 2010 Terry Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #By_fisherman
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Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis )
(13 of 15) (338092 views)

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


Natural Bridges Park, Santa Cruz, California   •  (Photo posted Saturday 12 June, 2010)   •  (Photo taken 11:13:40 Wednesday 11 March, 2010)   •  © 2010 Terry Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #Can_Fly
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Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)
(14 of 15) (337960 views)

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


Anacapa Island, California   •  (Photo posted Tuesday 9 November, 2010)   •  (Photo taken 10:32:36 Friday 8 October, 2010)   •  © 2010 Terry Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License
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Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)
(15 of 15) (338346 views)

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The pelican glides effortlessly over the surface of the sea.


Anacapa Island, California   •  (Photo posted Saturday 13 November, 2010)   •  (Photo taken 11:12:27 Friday 8 October, 2010)   •  © 2010 Terry Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License
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