We recently had an episode of Santa Ana winds, warm dry offshores that often glass off the ocean and bring skies clear of any clouds. I almost always go out to photograph at sunrise when Santa Anas are flowing, and this week was no exception. I was planning to look for body-surfing sea lions in La Jolla but as I drove by the Cave Shop I noticed a huge gathering of pelicans on Goldfish Point. And waves, big ones, were pounding the caves from the north. This is a perfect combination for birds-in-flight photography, so I spent an hour alone on the point with some great pelican photography. While it is definitely too early for any birds in breeding plumage, there was still a great variety of plumage variations from adults to transitioning juveniles to hatchlings of the year. The Santa Anas were not blowing due west but rather were swirling which led to some great banking and turning in midair by the pelicans as they approached the cliffs to land. Later I went down to Alligator Head but no sea lions were surfing; the swell was from the north which does not set up a good wave at Boomer Beach, and the young sea lions were still too young to venture out and give the large waves a try. Indeed, they were huddled in the calm waters of the cove as the waves pounded everywhere else. After about 90 minutes I had filled two 128gb cards with 4000+ images and headed home. I repeated each of the next two days with more great flight photography in the hour just following sunrise. Cheers, and thanks for looking!
A California Brown Pelican flying over the Pacific Ocean, spreads its large wings wide to slow down as it banks, turns in midair, to land on seacliffs in La Jolla. Winter adult non-breeding plumage.
Image ID: 39791
Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus, Pelecanus occidentalis
Location: La Jolla, California
A California Brown Pelican flying over the Pacific Ocean, spreads its large wings wide to slow down as it banks, turns in midair, to land on seacliffs in La Jolla. Winter adult non-breeding plumage.
Image ID: 39789
Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus, Pelecanus occidentalis
Location: La Jolla, California
A California Brown Pelican flying over the Pacific Ocean, spreads its large wings wide to slow down as it banks, turns in midair, to land on seacliffs in La Jolla. Winter adult non-breeding plumage.
Image ID: 39792
Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus, Pelecanus occidentalis
Location: La Jolla, California
Brown Pelican Performs Yoga Pose Baddha Virabhadrasana, also known as Humble Warrior. Winter adult non-breeding plumage.
Image ID: 39794
Species: Brown pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus, Pelecanus occidentalis
Location: La Jolla, California
California sea lions hauled out on rocks in La Jolla Cove, splashed by huge waves.
Image ID: 39790
Location: La Jolla, California
A California Brown Pelican flying over the Pacific Ocean, spreads its large wings wide to slow down as it banks, turns in midair, to land on seacliffs in La Jolla. Winter adult non-breeding plumage.
Image ID: 39788
Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus, Pelecanus occidentalis
Location: La Jolla, California
A California Brown Pelican flying over the Pacific Ocean, spreads its large wings wide to slow down as it banks, turns in midair, to land on seacliffs in La Jolla. Winter adult non-breeding plumage.
Image ID: 39798
Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus, Pelecanus occidentalis
Location: La Jolla, California
Brown Pelican Gliding Over the Pacific Ocean.
Image ID: 39793
Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus, Pelecanus occidentalis
Location: La Jolla, California
California sea lions hauled out on rocks in La Jolla Cove, splashed by huge waves.
Image ID: 39795
Location: La Jolla, California
California Sea Lions in La Jolla Cove, these sea lions are seeking protection from large waves by staying in the protected La Jolla Cove.
Image ID: 39796
Location: La Jolla, California
A California Brown Pelican flying over the Pacific Ocean, spreads its large wings wide to slow down as it banks, turns in midair, to land on seacliffs in La Jolla. Winter adult non-breeding plumage.
Image ID: 39797
Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus, Pelecanus occidentalis
Location: La Jolla, California
Interesting 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. Winter adult non-breeding plumage.
Image ID: 39799
Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus, Pelecanus occidentalis
Location: La Jolla, California
Portrait of a California Brown Pelican Adult in Nonbreeding Winter Plumage, Sunrise, La Jolla.
Image ID: 39800
Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus, Pelecanus occidentalis
Location: La Jolla, California
California Sea Lions in La Jolla Cove, these sea lions are seeking protection from large waves by staying in the protected La Jolla Cove.
Image ID: 39803
Location: La Jolla, California
Portrait of a California Brown Pelican Adult in Nonbreeding Winter Plumage, Sunrise, La Jolla.
Image ID: 39805
Location: La Jolla, California
California Brown pelican catching updraft from a passing wave. Winter adult non-breeding plumage.
Image ID: 39807
Location: La Jolla, California
Brown Pelican Closeup Portrait Intense Stare.
Image ID: 39815
Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus
Location: La Jolla, California
Brown Pelican on Pedestal Rock Portrait at Sunrise, adult non-breeding winter plumage.
Image ID: 39810
Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus
Location: La Jolla, California
Brown Pelican Spreads Wings to Land on Sea Cliffs over the Pacific Ocean.
Image ID: 39813
Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus
Location: La Jolla, California
Sunrise Portrait of Brown Pelican Perched Over the Pacific Ocean, non-breeding adult winter plumage.
Image ID: 39814
Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus
Location: La Jolla, California
Large Flock of Brown Pelicans Take Flight From Ocean Cliffs.
Image ID: 39819
Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus
Location: La Jolla, California
Brown Pelican Glides Next to Breaking Wave.
Image ID: 39809
Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus
Location: La Jolla, California
Sunrise Portrait of Brown Pelican Winter Plumage, non-breeding adult winter plumage.
Image ID: 39816
Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus
Location: La Jolla, California
Royal Tern Banking in Flight with Wings Spread Wide.
Image ID: 39811
Location: La Jolla, California
