I saw my first breeding California brown pelican of this winter’s season yesterday. November is sort of on the early side for them. Many will be in winter colors at this time but won’t have the dramatic brown hind-neck coloration until December or January. In any event, this one was so good looking I spent time photographing just it. I was the only person there and the pelican was very comfortable with my presence, actually hopping closer to me to perch on a low knob and then performing a few head throws for good measure. Note how the dark chocolate brown hind-neck (which looks like it may develop a bit more in the coming week or two) is separated from the red-and-olive throat by a distinct strip of white – this is often but not always seen. Yellow head and white bow-tie above the gray breast. This one also shows pronounced pink skin around the eyes. So many colors — it’s beautiful. Cheers, and thanks for looking!
A perfect Brown Pelican Head Throw with Distant Ocean in Background, bending over backwards, stretching its neck and gular pouch. Note the winter breeding plumage, yellow head, red and olive throat, pink skin around the eye, brown hind neck with some white neck side detail, gray breast and body.
Image ID: 39873
Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus
Location: La Jolla, California
Study of a California brown pelican in winter breeding plumage, yellow head, red and olive throat, pink skin around the eye, brown hind neck with some white neck side detail.
Image ID: 39871
Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus
Location: La Jolla, California
California brown pelican landing in a crowded colony, adult winter non-breeding plumage, wings spread wide to slow before landing.
Image ID: 39868
Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus
Location: La Jolla, California
Study of a California brown pelican in winter breeding plumage, yellow head, red and olive throat, pink skin around the eye, brown hind neck with some white neck side detail, gray breast and body.
Image ID: 39869
Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus
Location: La Jolla, California
Study of a California brown pelican in winter breeding plumage, yellow head, red and olive throat, pink skin around the eye, brown hind neck with some white neck side detail.
Image ID: 39872
Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus
Location: La Jolla, California
Study of a California brown pelican in winter breeding plumage, yellow head, red and olive throat, pink skin around the eye, brown hind neck with some white neck side detail.
Image ID: 39870
Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus
Location: La Jolla, California
