Watching Pelicans

On the weekend we like to go to Magen's Bay.  I think I've said that before.  For me, one of the biggest attractions at Magen's Bay are the Pelicans. They're wonderful to watch.  

You can learn something from a pelican.  Pelicans are relentless.  They never seem to tire of hunting for food. 

You can see it when they dive in the water.  Sometimes they come up with a fish and sometimes they don't.  If they miss, they don't slam their fist down in disgust.  They don't tell themselves they're terrible creatures with no talent.  They just get on with it.

They try different tactics all the time.  When the fish are scarce they soar high looking for silvery flashes of light glistening off the backs of fish.  Then they dive bomb.  They fold their wings back and lung head-first into the water. They open wide and scoop up whatever they can take in.  Sometime its a fish and sometimes it's just water.  

Sometimes, when fish are plentiful, they'll just fly a few feet and crash their faces into the water again.  Smack!

No matter what they don't get discouraged and they never give up.   

Sometimes we see things we like to call blooper birds.  You see, pelicans dive head-first into the water but their bodies seldom, if ever, submerge.   They kind of crash land face first into the water. When a blooper, actually called the Brown Booby, dives it goes under water and disappears for a bit.  Then, all of a sudden, bloop! It pops up to flit away and catch another fish. They are a lot of fun to watch. 

You have to find ways to entertain yourself - don't you.  I don't know if this qualifies me as a bird watcher.  I'm more of a dive bomber watcher.  The Audubon Society doesn't have to  worry about me joining any time soon.  

Watching pelicans though - one of life's little pleasures. 

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