You are cleared for landing

Helicopter pilots have nothing on these guys. Drying to drop on those round pilings at the Bolivar Peninsula Ferry Landing, in a stiff wind is nothing to take lightly. Besides, helicopter pilots don't have a big beak to get in the way as do these Brown Pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis). Hey, we all got our peaks to carry.

Notice though how carefully this feathery flyer works -- trimming his flaps up on one side and down on the other. Looks like he's be doing it all his life.

--steve buser

Brown Pelicans, Pelecanus occidentalis, Bolivar Peninsula

Powered by ScribeFire.

Wave-to-wind hop sets him sailing

A Brown Pelican which had been sitting on the water warching our Galveston-Bolivar ferry pull into the ferry landing, suddenly decides it''s time to get up amd move about. He timed a wave pretty good and pushed off strong with his feet to send him skyward.

--steve buser

Pelican, Galveston, ferry, Bolivar Peninsula, TexasPowered by ScribeFire.