Pelicans flying at Nags Head

Cloudy morning, cool

These are Brown Pelicans (Pelicanus occidentalis). Most pelicans sit on the water and scoop fish with their bills, but these pelicans plunge dive from great heights--as high as 60 feet. They open their pouches and scoop up everything, then drain the water and keep the fish. Seagulls often steal fish right from a pelican's mouth while the pelican is decanting.