American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) Strikes a Pose

[Bo Zarts]

Aransas National Wildlife Refuge - Texas Gulf Coast
©2026 Bo Zarts Studio

[CozyMystery]

1. What a beautiful photo of a beautiful bird!

Pelicans are my favorite birds.

A long time ago, I was in the water at Sanibel Island, in Florida. The was at a time, which I thought was very strange, that most people did not go to the beach at all -- I was usually alone, no matter what. Maybe because it was June.

I spent a lot of time watching the brown pelicans. They fascinated me. A group-flock-herd of them landed in the water close to me, forming a circle around me. I was awestricken, and kept quiet and made no movement because I was afraid I'd scare them away. They flew off a minute or two later.

I will never forget that experience.

[waterwatcher123]

2. We were in Florida recently at Hobe Sound and the Brown Pelicans were diving at high speed into the surf (good show).

We got back to our place on the St. Louis River near Lake Superior shortly thereafter and witnessed huge flocks of white pelicans floating along leisurely scooping up walleye fry (another good pelican show).

[Bo Zarts]

4. Brown pelicans dive at neck-breaking speed for their food ..

White pelicans float in a group .. " rafts " .. and corral their food for easy pickings. It makes my neck hurt to watch Brown pelicans dive into the water.

Brown pelicans were on the way to extinction before the banning of DDT. Fortunately, the population of Brown pelicans is once again healthy.

[Walleye]

3. I know how that feels. I still remember the hummingbird that came right up to my face when I was five years old.