Pelican Pete  Pelican Pete

Of all the photos I have taken in the last ten years this is my favorite. Why ? This handsome prehistoric-looking bird of southern California seemed to be at peace with me and I with him in the summer of 2010. Call me crazy, but it was almost like we made a 'connection' with each other. Several other people had tried to take his picture while he was resting peacefully on the railing of the San Clemente pier, but he would fly off only to return shortly thereafter a little further down the pier, away from those pesky tourists trying to take his picture. Every time he flew off, he would let out a little gull-like screech as if to say "all I want is to be left alone to rest and let the fresh fish I just caught, settle in my stomach before I have to fly off and join the others. So leave me alone people !" And yes, there were other California brown pelicans flying around the pier that day, most of them trying to still catch whatever they could find swimming in the water. But Pelican Pete, as I affectionately have called him since the day we 'connected', had already made his catch of the day and was trying to enjoy his contentment on the pier railing.

As I approached him to shoot this photo, I gradually started talking with him. Very softly at first because I did not want to scare him off. Finally, I felt I had the position I needed to snap the shot, and I said to him, firmly, not loudly but firmly, "OK, stay right there until I get the shot, OK?" To my amazement, he stood right there, despite his 'evil eye' look at me. It seemed like he trusted me but only for a couple of seconds. . . he was trusting me to behave myself. And I did, only approaching him to within about four feet. That is as close as either one of us preferred. . . I think. After the photo was taken, he remained perched on the railing content to let his food settle. Thank you Pete, you are my favorite pelican of all time !