Brown pelicans in Florida are increasingly becoming entangled in fishing lines and fishhooks, and that is now their leading cause of death in the state. These iconic birds perch and hunt along the same piers that fishermen use. Often, when they get tangled in fishing lines, the fishermen will cut the lines instead of freeing […]
Tag: brown pelican
King Tides Are a Sign of the Future for Oregon’s Coast
With the king tides in Oregon this month, we are getting a preview of the rising sea levels that climate change will bring to the Oregon Coast. These extremely high tides – which are 2 to 4 feet higher than normal – currently only occur a couple times a year when the moon is closest […]
Tropical Storm Hermine At Bunche Beach: Pt. II
With less than favorable conditions for photography of the wildlife at Bunche Beach, it seemed obvious that the birds were not airborne unless disturbed. I opted to remain at one observation point about a quarter mile east of the parking area where a good sized flock of shorebirds were actively feeding. The mangrove trees offered […]
POLL: Should the Migratory Bird Treaty Act remain in place and be enforced?
This is for the birds. One of America’s oldest conservation laws and wildlife successes is under attack. Passed during the Woodrow Wilson administration in 1918, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act was passed as a result of dramatic declines in American bird populations. Realizing the need for broad protection, Congress made it: “unlawful at any time, […]
Pelícano pardo (Brown Pelican) Pelecanus occidentalis
Durante mi viaje a Cuba tuve la suerte de poder observar y fotografiar durante todos los días que estuve en Varadero al Pelícano pardo, una de las aves que tenía ganas de conocer y no me defraudó para nada. Lo podía ver todos los días sobrevolando el mar y en ocasiones zonas aledañas demostrando toda […]
Endangered Species Act: A Big Success!
One of the most frustrating elements for me of the toxic political climate today is how little facts seem to matter anymore in public discourse. It’s become a common belief that the Endangered Species Act hasn’t worked because, since its passage in 1973, only a handful of species have recovered enough to be de-listed. Just […]
Summer Florida Birding Beach Tour: Part II
This second post in a multi-part series continues with an emphasis on Florida wildlife beach observations including a bonus species seen in Sarasota, Florida. The Reddish Egret above (image 1) was photographed at Siesta Key Beach in June 2016. Tom Obrock joined me for a return trip to Sarasota on […]
Little Estero Lagoon Spring Nesting
For good reason Little Estero Lagoon comes in a close second as a favorite Southwest Florida wildlife venue behind Bunche Beach Preserve. The birds were very accommodating as I continued my walk south toward Carlos Point and back. The Black Scoter was an especially nice find with their behavior “ridiculously tame” as world wildlife photographer […]