Brown Pelicans

San Diego Metro KOA
Chula Vista, CA
January 15, 2015

Today was La Jolla day..definitely at the top of my list for things to do when here. From the KOA, it is about 22 miles to this hilly seaside village where streets are lined with unique boutiques, galleries, and cafes. But the most compelling highlight for me is the ocean. And yes, the pelicans.  

 If you want to see these elegant birds, the best time to visit La Jolla cliffs is December through February. This is the time of year the Brown Pelican displays it's most colorful plumage. 

 Brown Pelicans mostly eat small fish that form schools near the surface of the water. They catch fish by plunge-diving from high up, using the force of impact to stun the fish. 

 I read that Brown Pelicans were part of the reason the U.S. National Wildlife Refuge System was established in 1903. They were poisoned when they ate fish laced with pesticides, and were almost extinct. In 2009, they were removed from the endangered species list. 

We waited and waited for the perfect picture of the "dramatic red throat pouch", but it just didn't happen today. The pouch can hold up to 3 gallons of water...about 25 pounds worth! 

 Young brown pelicans  lose their feathers 6 times before they look like their parents. When they are 3-5 years old, they are gray-brown on top, blackish-brown on their belly and striped black and silver on their chest. Only after breeding, do their heads turn yellow and their necks turn white. Also, young brown pelicans have brown eyes that turn tan or blue during courtship. 






Open wide!

It was the best pelican day ever! And as always, Joe had to drag me away. It was cloudy and quite chilly today, but I hardly noticed! 

 California dreaming on such a winter's day...

Until next time, let the good times roll...

HAPPY TRAILS!

( Information about Brown Pelicans were found on www.biokids.umich.edu, www.allaboutbirds.org, and animals.nationalgeographic.com .)