I visited Mount Loretto Unique Area on Staten Island on July 3, 2023. I had heard there were brown pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis) hanging out in the area. It was beastly hot, and when I walked the beach, I was constantly finding a log to sit on and drink water.
When I saw birds flying over Raritan Bay, I'd lift the camera and take some shots, not really knowing what I was photographing. When I got home late that night, I discovered I had indeed taken some pelican photos, even though they were pretty far away and the shots were only so-so.
I do like that they were spending time near the cormorants, who are always fun to watch.
Maybe someday I will see some pelicans even closer outside of the zoo or Florida.
Brown pelican flying over Raritan Bay, July 3, 2023
