California Brown Pellican Encounter

I didn't take this series of photos, because one of my GF's here in CA wants to have a photo of me at the beach.
Before we left Oceanside, CA, today to come home, I wanted to feed the seagulls, 'cause it was something my Dad and I used to do together every time I went to visit him in Texas.
So I made DH take the photos, (that way she could have a photo of me at the beach and I could feed them birds!) and the series is gorgeous.
We are also participating in the Back Yard Bird Count. Photos like these help me count the birds, because they don't stand still. They also help me to id those birds I don't know.
Sometimes they surprise me, like this one did!
First photo in a series of 12.
Happy Valentines Day!
Walk In Beauty!
SingingWolf

Well, I do have an expressive face don't I? I just realized what was in front of my eyes.
I have never in all the many years I've been feeding the birds in O'side, CA, seen a Brown Pelican show up for bread at a seagull feeding. DH said he was either curious or really hungry.

Rats,
Here is the photo I should have sent last time.

That was me waving at DH saying, "Take photos of the pelican, I'm not photogenic anyway!"
I'd say he did pretty good.
This is #3 in a series of 12.

I love this photo! What a sweet surprise for both of us!
#4 of 12.

What a handsome bird!
You notice he is totally ignoring the seagull screeching right next to him.

Three seagulls, one pigeon, and a Brown Pelican! : - )
#6 of 12

While DH was taking these photos, most of the people around us, stopped and stared in amazement. Except this one woman who was totally oblivious and walked close enough to scare the Brown Pelican. Sigh . . .
The Pelican is partially blocked by a panicking seagull.
#7 of 12

DH says he thinks that the Brown Pelican looks like a teradactyl in flight. The Pelican is in the center of the photo.
#8 of 12

Brown Pelican in the center again, (according to DH), he said it had circled around, but was too wary to land. Don't blame him.
#9 of 12

DH is doing good, and caught the Brown Pelican against the foamy surf, so you can see him.
#10 of 12

DH found the telephoto control on the camera.
#11 of 12

Our last view of him just before he banked before reaching the pier and flew out to the ocean.
I think DH deserves praise for taking such good photos.
Either that or I have a magic camera.
I feel very Blessed to have seen this bird so closely today of all days. Today being the 23rd Anniversary of our Wedding Day.
DH definitely deserves the praise! He did great, and I couldn't have asked for a nicer present on purpose.
I hope you enjoyed our unusual encounter with the Brown Pelican.
Walk In Beauty!
SingingWolf

Very nice pics SW! That Pelican is beautiful! Your DH did a great job on the photos!

Fantastic series of photos. Screaching gulls can make people ignore other birds, but I am afraid the lady & her 'no attention' attitude are all too common.

Fabulous photos, and thank you for sharing them! Your DH did a job. I think pelicans are very cool birds.

Your DH did a wonderful job with the photos. What a great time to be at the beach and see that beautiful pelican. Sounded like you had a great time!!

Well done, hubby! My DH loves pelicans - a visit to the beach is truly good if we see them flying. I remember when visiting NC, we went to see a friend's boat and there were pelicans everywhere on the dock, railings, etc. - such comical birds on land, but when they fly, oh my! Thanks for posting the photos, Jules.

Well done and thanks for posting this great series...I just love those Pelicans. I could almost smell the ocean, hear the waves, feel the salt air and the sand on my feet!!

Yup, it was a great day at the beach. : - )
I really like to take photos of them from a distance, because of people (mostly kids) who scare them away, and was totally flabbergasted when I saw that fellow waddling up the beach.
I was showing these photos to a friend today and realized that I had missed one in the series. Takes a sharp eye to see him, but he is flying right in the center of this photo, the bread crumbles almost make a circle around him. This was just before he decided to land and should have been the first in the series. I'm being Heyoka again. (Means contrary or backwards in Lakota Sioux).
Now does anyone know where I should post those photos I got of the whales? LOL!
Think my Dad would have really loved seeing the series. : - )
Definitely a nice Anniversary present from someone. : - )
I will tell my Darling Husband, who is having a blast on the tractor right now, all the nice things you said about his photos. I know he'll be surprised.
Glad you enjoyed seeing him as much as I did.
Walk In Beauty!
SingingWolf

I see him very clearly...it is a really cool shot. I agree that your Day would have loved this series..we still miss that kind man.

Maybe you could post the whale photos on the Photos Forum...I would love to see them. In my past life I spent many hours on that beach and never saw a whale. Lucky you!

Photo or Wildlife forum. Can't wait to see them!

I practically grew up there myself, dellrose, and I was wondering why I didn't remember ever seeing them when I was a kid. Then it hit me.
Right about the time I got my first pair of glasses we moved away from the beach. I couldn't see them because I am near sighted. I could see those big scary waves though!
Once when I couldn't have been more than a toddler, we were at the beach, and I was sitting with my back to the ocean, when my Dad comes running up and snatches me out of the water, just before a HUGE WAVE (to my little eyes) hit us. Dad to the rescue! He held me up high so I didn't get more than splashed. Sure did scare me though. Going to the beach always brings back memories of being with him. I was scared of water til I was about 13 and learned how to float, then swim.
Darling Husband swears he never saw the Pelican land, but he sure can aim a camera and hit that shutter button.
I read to him all your comments, and he was surprised at how well that series of photos turned out. He was also surprised that I posted the photos. Still swears he never saw the bird landing or even flying in.
At this point, I'm just glad he was at the right place at the right time, and quit taking photos of ME!
LOL!
WIB!
SW

Whoops, we cross posted. Thanks Pell,Good suggestions. I'll see if there is already a thread going for sea life on the wildlife forum. If not, maybe I'll have to start one.
WIB!
SW

Good series, Singing Wolf. Congratulations to you both on your anniversary and kudos to you husband for the good photography. Nice straight horizons, too!

Thanks Margaret,
I relayed your compliment to DH. He nodded. He's not used to people complimenting his photography. : - )
WIB,
SW

Finally a face shot, #6.
Sorry, this was on my walks thread. Will post on here on the BW thread too. It's a small brown woodpecker. My apologies.
WIB!
SW

This message was edited Apr 16, 2010 12:38 PM

Very nice SW!! Maybe Resin will be able to ID it for you.

Bewick's Wren - note the long, barred tail and bars just under the tail, and the white eyebrow.

Resin

Thank you Resin for the ID. : - )
A friend out here thought it was a wren but couldn't tell what kind. It made itself right at home in the old woodpecker's nest. : - )
WIB,
SW