Monday, June 15, 2009

Sonoma Coast Pelicans

My Watery Wednesday offering this week is a flock of brown pelicans.

While they are graceful in flight,
landing is something else.
They seem to use their head as a break, plunging it into the water as they land.
Here they are at the mouth of the Russian River, splashing and grooming. They seemed to be washing off the salt in the fresher river water. The gulls splash and groomed as well.
Did you notice the seal in the second photo?

Check out more watery sights here.

26 comments:

Rob Ripma said...

It's always fun to watch pelicans. Great shots!

Anonymous said...

I have never seen pelicans; you're lucky.

Leora said...

Love that second one. I would love to dive into some water. You make it look enticing.

Maggie May said...

That seems quite exotic tome as the only time we would see pelicans is in the zoo! Great pictures.

Ebie said...

Ooh, I could hear them singing with joy! Their landing is perfect!

maryt/theteach said...

You had me laughing at them, martha! :)

Jenn Jilks said...

That is a hoot! Thanks for sharing. Our ducks and geese in My Muskoka are a little more graceful, but they often have to land on ice in April. A whole different story.

Anonymous said...

I've driven by and thru Russian River many times over the years and never really stopped.

Nice to see the brown pelicans.

Barb said...

That pelican landing could be a cartoon. You caught the "action" just at the right moment.

April said...

Wonderful photos of the pelican landing! They have enormous wings.

Carletta said...

I would have missed the seal if you hadn't mentioned him. :)
These are truly great action shots!
My post is here: Carletta’s Captures.

Unknown said...

very graceful...i enjoy your photos. have a nice day!

Martha said...

I love pelicans!

My Watery Wednesday

Anonymous said...

At home in the air as in the water.

Unknown said...

Wonderful birds, a lovely and alive sight.

Arija said...

Seems to me that is a learner pilot. A fully fledged pilot lands with flaps down and head up.

Anonymous said...

It's amazing they don't split their heads open! Great Watery Post!

Unknown said...

I like how you have caught that pelican landing ...great series!

Very cool shots :-)

EG CameraGirl said...

Fun shots. I'm sure I'd LOVE watching pelicans and their antics.

Linnea said...

Great action shots. What a crash landing into the river water! Thanks for visiting my WW post!

Anonymous said...

Very interesting birds. Great photos.
Charlotte

sunnymama said...

Awesome pictures! I haven't seen pelicans before and its really interesting to see the landing pictures too.

Lisa Wilson said...

Pelicans are so cool! Those are great!

Regina said...

Great shots.

Bim said...

Beautiful photos - the head-break made me laugh a lot :)

Ladynred said...

The pelican are so fun to watch. Great shots.
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