Pelicans

Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)

Above: On the Florida Gulf Coast, 1986. Photograph on Ektachrome (Diapositive) film.

Brown pelicans nearly became extinct in the 1960's due to the prevalence of DDT (until banned in 1972). After decades, they have made a comeback.

Below: A more recent (2023) digital image of a soaring brown pelican.

American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos)

White pelicans are even larger than brown pelicans, but rather than dive-bombing for food, as do the brown pelicans, white pelicans fish from the water surface, sometimes in what looks like synchronized dance. These pelicans are migratory, and rarely seen in Florida except in winter. "Snow birds."

In this photo (February), a flock of black skimmers 'photo-bombed' the image, flying through the frame, which was a rare treat really, as they are salt-water lovers usually seen at the shores, but today they took a field trip inland to Myakka River.