The first few weeks in December were generally great for photographing a variety of subjects in La Jolla with the exception of La Jolla’s California brown pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis), at least on the mornings I was there. The pelicans seemed to be mostly gone, perhaps offshore foraging or just occupying cliffs that I could not see. That is until just a week ago, when I starting having good luck again. We have had a period of great weather with clear skies to the east, and on a number of mornings I was able to capture images I’m fairly happy with. Two pelicans on two separate days performed multiple predictable head throws making it as easy as shooting fish in a barrel. One facing directly away from me but looking back at the camera when his neck was arched over as far as it would go, and the other facing toward me in such a way that its throat completely obscured its face at the apex of the head throw. Interesting shapes. There has also been some nice displays of mock-jousting and socialization involving bills among the pelicans on the cliffs. Here are some of the pelican images I kept from the first half of December. Cheers, and thanks for looking!
Spectacular Brown Pelican Head Throw Display. This California brown pelican is arching its head and neck way back, opening its mouth in a behavior known as a head throw or bill throw.
Image ID: 38675
Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus
Location: La Jolla, California
Spectacular Brown Pelican Head Throw Display. This California brown pelican extends its head and bill up and back, stretching its neck and pouch in a behavior known as a head throw or bill throw. Adult winter breeding plumage.
Image ID: 38691
Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus
Location: La Jolla, California
California brown pelican winter breeding plumage portrait, this adult is gently clapping its jaws, showing brown hind neck with yellow head, red and olive throat pouch, white with yellow chevron on the breast.
Image ID: 38692
Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus
Location: La Jolla, California
Adult California brown pelican in transition from non-breeding to breeding winter plumage. Note the brown hind neck of a breeding brown pelican is just filling in. This pelican already displays the red and olive throat and white and yellow head feathers of an adult winter brown pelican.
Image ID: 38679
Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus
Location: La Jolla, California
California brown pelican orange morph, preening its feathers while on cliffs over the ocean. While this adult brown pelican exhibits the brown hind neck of a breeding adult, it displays an unusual orange throat rather than the more typical red.
Image ID: 38688
Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus
Location: La Jolla, California
California brown pelican breeding plumage portrait. While this adult brown pelican exhibits the brown hind neck of a breeding adult, it displays an unusual yellow throat rather than the more typical red throat.
Image ID: 38670
Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus
Location: La Jolla, California
Brown pelicans jousting with their long bills, competing for space on a sea cliff over the ocean, with bright red throat, yellow and white head, adult non-breeding winter plumage.
Image ID: 38671
Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus
Location: La Jolla, California
Breeding and non-breeding California pelicans standing side-by-side on the edge of a cliff overlooking the ocean.
Image ID: 38633
Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus
Location: La Jolla, California
Brown pelican in flight with wings spread wide, flying directly at the camera, slowing to land on ocean seacliffs, La Jolla.
Image ID: 38672
Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus
Location: La Jolla, California
Brown pelican in flight with wings braking as it turns over the ocean.
Image ID: 38673
Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus
Location: La Jolla, California
Brown pelican in flight, soaring with wings spread wide as it glides over the ocean. Adult winter non-breeding plumage.
Image ID: 38683
Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus
Location: La Jolla, California
A brown pelican performs a bill throw as another looks on, both are adult winter non-breeding plumage.
Image ID: 38686
Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus
Location: La Jolla, California
Brown pelicans jousting with their long bills, competing for space on a sea cliff over the ocean, with bright red throat, yellow and white head, adult non-breeding winter plumage.
Image ID: 38684
Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus
Location: La Jolla, California
Brown pelicans jousting with their long bills, competing for space on a sea cliff over the ocean, with bright red throat, yellow and white head, adult non-breeding winter plumage.
Image ID: 38685
Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus
Location: La Jolla, California
Juvenile or immature California brown pelican in flight with wings spread wide, slowing to land on ocean seacliffs in La Jolla.
Image ID: 38690
Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus
Location: La Jolla, California
