Setting out from Corpus Christi, we enjoyed a terrific boat trip to fish and to visit Shamrock Island Preserve. It was overcast at first, and then the sun came out and made for a magical experience!
Immature brown pelican and royal terns.
Mature brown pelican in breeding plumage and laughing gulls.
The sheer number of birds was incredible.
Mature brown pelican in breeding plumage.
Nest building, eggs are laid in March and April.
Bath time.
Fledgling - so what do I do with these huge wings?
Pelicans are social birds which forage in large groups.
Gathering nesting materials.
Off to add to the nest.
Just one more beakful.
Nesting close together in these bushes.
Eggs are incubated by both parents for about one month.
After hatching, both parents will help take care of young, feeding them regurgitated fish.
We fished for a while, then the sun came out and we headed back to Shamrock Island.
Pelicans with royal terns (long reddish beak) and sandwich terns (yellow tipped beak).
How do they handle those large beaks?
Mature brown pelicans in breeding plumage.
Looking across Shamrock Island, masses of birds as far as you could see!
A juvenile brown pelican with royal terns (long reddish beak) and sandwich terns (yellow tipped beak).
Francie Stoutamire Photography
