I love pelicans. They look so gangly and awkward. Just like me!
When I came to San Diego in April 1993, pelicans were nowhere to be found. About five years ago I noticed that pelicans were appearing in San Diego. Lots of them! Huge numbers of them. I thought, “It’s about time pelicans discovered how nice San Diego is but I wonder what took them so long.”
Several months ago an article in the newspaper confirmed that San Diego was being overrun with pelicans and no one really understood why. Doesn’t matter to me…. as long as they are here and let me take photographs of them.
Here is my #1 favorite, so far:
Coming in for a landing
The sad thing about my #1 penguin picture is that I took it with a Point & Shoot camera several years ago. The camera was set on its “home inspection setting,” so all I have is picture that is 800 x 712 pixels, quality enough for the Internet and nothing else. 😦
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Russel Ray Photos 
Amazing photo!!!!!!
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Thank you, my lady!
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Your two recent action shots are incredible – may I steal them, my man? (just kidding about the stealing thing)
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I have a couple more coming up. Obviously I’m in my bird folder doing some cataloging.
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What does cataloging mean?
You amaze me – your energy and skill. I am not trying to flatter you but you really are good…
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Many of my pictures have titles like “IMG_98214.” Since I take an average of about 500 pictures each and every day, it’s easy to get behind if I skip a day (like today when I’m going to go to the Antique Engine & Tractor Show 45 miles from me). Thus I spend 30 minutes each day renaming the pictures and placing them in the correct folder. Zoey the Cool Cat has her own folder; otherwise, it’s fauna, flora, and other, with hundreds of subfolders in thos three main folders.
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Thanks Russel – I am now utterly exhausted from just reading what you do, let alone doing it! I want to snuggle up with Zoey! Julie lol!
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btw – lag followed me the other day!
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So now you have to follow him, if you haven’t already. We have to get him to 2,000 followers before he gets to 10 posts. lol
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It is still a great shot.
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Thanks, Wally!
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Don’t you sleep? It has to be around 3 AM there!
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It is now 3:51 a.m. I’m a catnapper in every sense of the word. The most I can ever sleep is about 2½ hours. After that I just lay there thinking, “Why don’t I get up and do something.” So I do. Otherwise it’s 30 minute naps whenever I get tired or when my eyes start watering.
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Great shot, I don’t know that I have ever seen a pelican, interesting bird… love the webbed feet you caught!
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Fabulous shot, Russel.
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It is an amazing photo, the camera is not always the amazing thing but the person that presses the button is what makes an amazing photo… and this is amazing…
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I do believe I agree with you. I am simply amazing! lol
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Great shot! Here in the Klamath Basin we have white pelicans. Such interesting birds – clunky yet majestic.
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Love it! Fabulous shot. 🙂
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That’s a really good photo! Love the action. Will you trade some of your pelicans for some of these darn South Florida four inch long disgusting ravenous grasshoppers that have moved up to North Florida and invaded my organic garden because it’s getting warm, warm, warm! I am told that Peacocks have invaded South Florida and now walk right down the street; screeching breaks everywhere! Want some? I have friends who will gladly send them your way! lol
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No grasshoppers. No, no, no. I don’t miss that buggers from my life in Texas.
I have a friend here who as seven or eight pairs of pea foul on his property. They are the sons and daughters of pea foul that were released from an East County Zoo back in the ’40s or so when it closed. Hard to compete with the San Diego Zoo if you’re within 90 miles.
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My daughter had a yearly pass to the San Diego Zoo and I visited several times. It is awesome!
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I live in San Diego and have never seen a peligan. What areas are the best to find them? Love your photos
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The best place is over in Mission Bay, over by the Hyatt and Red Marlin restaurant. La Jolla cover is teeming with them, too. Walk from the La Jolla Cave store down to the cover and you should see dozens of seals, sea lions, and pelicans right there. Those are my two favorite places.
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What a shame. You get the feeling that there might be a crash landing coming but perhaps pelicans have more poise than expected.
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It landed perfectly to the right of the bird that’s already sitting there.
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It looks like the one in mid-air is saying “BOO!” to the other one.
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I always always have problem taking pictures of birds in flight. You obviously did such an outstanding. And with a point and shoot, extra amazing.
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Great shot! Perfect timing.
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beautiful post, i enjoyed all i looked at and i’m glad zoey approved them all.. hehee. and also thank you very much for following my blog.. : )
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I’ll be back by in a couple of days to do some camping. Hot dogs and smores!
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Sometimes comical and awkward yet to watch those coordinated dives and flying formations. Pure grace! I’m lucky to have flocks of them near me too. Great photo!
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Awesome photo! Love! And we’re all pelicans in some way. I think of Nemo’s rescuer when pelican is mentioned 😀
Pink.
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INCOMING!! lol
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