To my knowledge, pelicans don’t walk much. But I love to walk alongside them as they fly, out above the waves. These sergeant-majors of the seas patrol our area, and they come out in force during springtime and stay all summer. I welcome their return with my walk today, and was fortunate that they were in a mood to entertain.
How can people say they are not beauties? Their over-sized beaks and broad wings reward them with a beautiful catch, over and over.
Watch for the splashes. My camera and I do not agree about push and click. By the time I pushed, the pelican was probably already diving, and by the time the camera took the shot, there was only splash. Two different times, with two competent pelicans. They tried to make it easy for me.
The second one stalled to let me gather my failing photographic skills. He is the one lifting off again after a successful catch, ready to scout the area for more.
Watch this magnificent dive. I love the way they search, spot and then set-up their dive. The final upside-down reverse puts them head first into the water. Amazing creatures.
As I walk, I see some tag-a-longs. The gulls must have noticed the school of fish. They follow the skillful pelicans, landing nearby for a chance at left-overs.
The pelican entertainment today makes my walk a bit longer in time, not distance. But who can resist stopping and looking at these spectacular birds, to say nothing of the other sights along the way. Hope you have a great walk today.
Linked to Restless Jo’s Monday Walks
One Small Walk... 
I love pelicans too.! Maybe your camera has a burst mode which should help you get the diving shots you want.
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Burst mode!! What a wonderful idea. I think it does – but now you’ve given me some work to do and I can no longer beg ignorance. Drat.
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Susan, thanks for taking us along on your walk. Lovely pics, Keith
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Thank you, Keith. I enjoy the pics, too đŸ˜‰
They are so much more a surprise of luck than anything else. Who can go wrong with pelicans? Susan
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Love pelicans. We’ve just been in Mexico where we would see them at the beach every day. Like you it took quite a few tries to get a good shot of one diving.
Alison
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Alison – most of my photo successes happened by accident. I’ll get home and see what I didn’t see in person. I don’t think I have the patience to really become a great photographer, like you đŸ™‚ – but it doesn’t make the fun any less! Susan
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Chuckle. Thanks. I don’t have the patience either. I miss so many good shots because I walk away too soon.
A.
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That is my kind of a walk! Great captures! My walks are often prolonged by these fellas. Trying to capture the dive is such a great challenge đŸ™‚ They are here year round, but very active in the fall months…so looking forward to those walks.
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Tiny – Pelicans can entertain me for hours. If it’s not their spectacular dives, it’s the shine of the sun on their wings, or the power of their flight… Spectacular creatures!
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I am with you, Susan. Pelicans can entertain me for hours, especially in places like the Sea of Cortez in Mexico. Any wildlife spotting brightens my day. đŸ™‚
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Liesbet – I’ve never been to the Sea of Cortez, but would love to follow the pelicans there one day!
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One of my favorite things about living on North Padre Island off the coast of Texas for 10 years was the pelicans – both the brown pelicans which were year-around residents and the majestic (and enormous) white pelicans which wintered there over the cold months. Absolutely amazing to walk the beach and see them in formations of up to 20-30 birds at a time, skimming along the water or over the dunes. Anita
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Ahh – the flying formations! They are truly glorious. We have the white pelicans here, too, but only occasionally on the bay. I love this season when all I have to do is set foot on the beach and wait – they are always out there fishing.
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Irresistible! đŸ™‚ đŸ™‚ You’ve done a great job! It must be amazing to watch these birds in action. Thank you so much. Another link! đŸ™‚
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Thanks so much, RJo. If only I could hug the pelicans, I would. Irresistible is right.
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I really enjoy pelicans–such amazing creatures and so different–in the same way that bison and elephants are. Lovely captures.
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Thanks, Naomi. Pelicans are so entertaining, I never get tired of watching them đŸ™‚
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