Watching a bird in flight seems to evoke an invigorating sense of freedom while exhibiting grace — and the brown pelican is no exception, as this article presents a series of photographs of one landing on the water.
Brown Pelican Lands on Water: Sunday Morning Photograph
The brown pelican feeds primarily on fish, as it flies at a maximum height of 70 feet or 21 meters above the water so that it may spot schools of fish and crustaceans during its flights.
Not only is the brown pelican the official national bird of Saint Martin, Barbados, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and the Turks and Caicos Islands; but it is also the official state bird of Louisiana — whose nickname is the Pelican State — as it appears on the flag, seal, or coat of arms of each of the aforementioned locations.
Once considered an endangered species, the population of the brown pelican has been rebounding in recent years.
As the first National Wildlife Refuge in the United States, Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge was specifically created from greater than 5,400 acres by Theodore Roosevelt in 1903 to protect the species — as well as the waters and lands surrounding it.
Seeing what appears to be a look of determination on its face as it comes in for a landing — as its claws are outstretched underneath it — was a treat to watch.
After completing its landing on the water with its wings spread widely as another bird looks on, the waterfowl appears to be laughing — as though making a mockery of itself.
Final Boarding Call
Simply stopping to see a brown pelican land on the water was a relaxing way to spend a few minutes.
Please click here for a complete list of the Sunday Morning Photograph series of articles at The Gate With Brian Cohen, which include photographs taken of nature and sights of interest in many countries and territories around the world — including but not limited to:
- Andorra
- Argentina
- Bahamas
- Bahrain
- Belarus
- Brazil
- Bulgaria
- Canada
- China
- Colombia
- Cyprus — including the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
- Czechia or Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Dominican Republic
- Egypt
- England in Great Britain in the United Kingdom
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Kenya
- Latvia
- Lebanon
- Lesotho
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malaysia
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Netherlands
- Oman
- Panama
- Philippines
- Poland
- Romania
- Singapore
- Slovenia
- South Africa
- South Korea
- Spain
- Swaziland or Eswatini
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Thailand
- United Arab Emirates
- United States of America
- Uruguay
All photographs ©2022 by Brian Cohen.
