Kiawah Island Brown Pelicans ~ Easy pickings in a tidal pool!
The tide was low as I walked the vast beach at the Ocean Course on Kiawah Island. It was in the mid-fifties with a cool wind, so I was one of only a handful of people enjoying a walk on the beach. Off in the distance I noticed some pelican activity that seemed unusual. They were circling over the sand and not the ocean. I picked up my pace hoping to photograph the activity, whatever it may be.
Four Brown Pelicans were traveling back and forth to the ocean from what I discovered was a small tidal pool hundreds of yards away from the open water. I soon realized that the pelicans were having a field day fishing in the landlocked tidal pool! It was easy pickings! A field day!
As they approached the tidal pool, they circled over the dunes with the Ocean Course cottages in the background and descended one after the other into the small, shallow body of water.
Over the ocean and deeper bodies of water Brown Pelicans will take nose dives from 60 feet or higher going after a fish. In this case, with the water so shallow they landed feet first. Once in the water they would observe the fish activity carefully and time their strike.
They frequently appeared like they were going to take off, lifting their wings raising their bodies out of the water, but then they would surge forward and down after the fish. Two pelicans in particular repeated this process over and over. And, they often did it simultaneously.
Occasionally, all of the pelicans would return to the open ocean, flying low and fast over the packed sand. Once they reached the ocean they would increase their altitude and then nose dive like kamikazes into the water.
Then it would dawn on them that they were missing out on the chance to fill their gullets with more fish from the tidal pool, and they would return with vigor like they were on a mission.
It was all fascinating to watch and photograph. As my time was running out the two remaining pelicans flew off into the distance to join the others further on up the beach.
I never tire of observing Brown Pelicans in nature, especially in locations as naturally beautiful as Kiawah Island.
Speaking of Kiawah Island, I am currently working on a commissioned painting of dolphins strand feeding on the beaches of Kiawah. I’m working closely with a collector creating a scene combining my resource photographs and his vision. I’m excited about painting this challenging action packed scene.
Thank you for your interest in my art and my photography. I appreciate you reading my blog as well! I will blog about my strand feeding painting as soon as it is unveiled! :)
“One of the joys of being an artist is having the freedom to follow my passion….”
