Great Egrets are year-round residents of the coast and can often be seen alongside the Gualala River. Rozann Grunig spotted one recently resting on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
Here is a fun photo taken by Siegfried Matull some years ago of a Great Egret standing next to a Brown Pelican.
Thanks to Rozann and Siegfried for allowing me to share their photos with you here.
Juvenile Brown Pelicans have brown heads and white underparts. Adults have white heads and brown underparts. Here's a photo showing you an adult and a juvenile, taken by Craig Tooley.
On Thursday Rick and I were walking the bluffs at Gualala Point Regional Park. We saw a few Brown Pelicans on the water, accompanied by an opportunistic Western Gull. Then another Brown Pelican approached. We fantasized we could hear it shout, "I'm coming in, I'm coming in!"
They sure are graceful flyers but they don't have the most controlled landing. Here it's saying, "Brakes! Brakes!"
Brown Pelicans plunge dive for fish. Here is one of my favorite photos showing plunge diving. It was taken by Patrick Killen.
Thanks to Craig and Patrick for allowing me to share their photos with you here. To see much more of Craig's nature photography, here is his website: www.ruffimage.com
Oregonian Jeff Austin frequently visits the Mendonoma Coast. He noticed this Brown Pelican trying to get a fish in its pouch.
With the sun shining on the pouch, it's quite an amazing photo! Brown Pelicans plunge dive for fish and it's quite a sight to see them fishing. Here is one of my favorite photos of one plunge diving. It was taken by Patrick Killen.
Thanks to Jeff and Patrick for allowing me to share their photos with you here.
These are the non-breeders, just hanging around having a good time on the Coast. Path Neth's granddaughter, Annaka Neth, recently photographed one. It looks like the big bird is looking for a fish.
Bill Clark spotted this Brown Pelican resting on the water near the Point Arena Pier.
And Peggy Berryhill saw this Brown Pelican plunge diving for a fish off the Point Arena/Stornetta Lands.
Thanks to Annaka, Bill, and Peggy for allowing me to share their photos with you here.
Peter Cracknell photographed a Brown Pelican recently. Its white head tells you it is an adult. Juveniles have brown heads. They are migrating south along the coast now.
Rain is hitting the coast today and we are grateful for all we receive. The ocean is making itself heard too with its crashing waves. Carolyn André photographed these waves coming in near Jenner several days ago. The black dots on the right are surfers.
Two more storms are lined up and we say, "Bring it on, Mother Nature!"
Thanks to Peter and Carolyn for allowing me to share their photos with you here.