Brown Pelican
Pelecanus occidentalis
Brown Pelican · Tulum · 23 November 2023
A Brown Pelican riding the air a few feet above the sea off Tulum, the pelican of the American coasts from here round to the Carolinas and down both sides of the continent. It fishes the inshore water by diving, and this low glide is the far more economical way it covers most of its time.
The only pelican that plunge-dives for its food: it spots a fish from the air and drops straight in from height, folding its wings back at the last moment, where every other pelican fishes by scooping at the surface. Air sacs under the skin of the breast cushion the impact, and the bird always hits the water turning slightly left, to protect the windpipe on the right side of its neck.
Birds, insects, plants and other wildlife, mostly from Brooklyn, with some from further afield.
Every photograph comes with notes on what it is.
Selected
Favourite shots. Filter by subject, or .
Places
Everything, by where it was taken.
Species
Larger catalogue of photos organized by species of animal or plant.
Catalogue
Every photograph, newest first. Narrow it by period, place or species; the three work together.
Updates
Coming soon. Sign up at the bottom of the page for updates.