Even though I was at the Tidal Gate at Bolsa Chica to photograph Terns in flight, I couldn't resist shooting this juvenile Brown Pelican in the late afternoon light - he looked like such a sweet big baby to me!

Notice that he has a white belly. It contrasts less with the California marine layer white sky than the adult dark belly. This allows these juveniles to get closer to their prey while leaning to hunt.

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Brown Pelican
(Pelecanus occidentalis californicus)

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With a large and heavy body, the Brown Pelican needs its strong wings, which have a 2 - 2.5 m (6.0 - 8 ft) wingspan, to help it lift off the water.
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Brown Pelican
Pelecanus occidentalis
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Member of the Flickr Bird Brigade
Activists for birds and wildlife
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Because the Pelican is such a large bird, there is only a small crop. More details can be seen when viewed Large on Black

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This a sequence of five shots of a juvenile California Brown Pelican diving. The shot shown is just before he hits the water. The last shot is just as he hits the water. The other three show his preparation for the dive.

Brown Pelican
Pelecanus occidentalis

Member of the Nature’s Spirit
Good Stewards of Nature

© 2013 Patricia Ware - All Rights Reserved

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...signifies that this is a Juvenile Brown Pelican. He was flying very close, so the crop is very small.

California Brown Pelican
Pelecanus occidentalis

Member of the Nature’s Spirit
Good Stewards of Nature

© 2013 Patricia Ware - All Rights Reserved

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Not much of a crop. These Brown Pelicans do let you get close.

Brown Pelican
Pelecanus occidentalis

Member of the Nature’s Spirit
Good Stewards of Nature

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