This is probably a two or three year old Brown Pelican.  Got that pale face of a mature bird but a bit of light coloring on the belly, youngsters only.  And it was in with flock of mainly one year old birds, non-breeders, that are the first to return to San Francisco each summer from the species; breeding grounds much further south.  That’s right, on the Pacific Coast Brown Pelicans migrate north after breeding, to richer fishing grounds.

Above the familiar line of soaring pelicans.  At right a loner crosses Crissey Field toward the Golden Gate Bridge beyond.  Even in the high winds, these great fliers seems to move almost effortlessly.

 

 

 

Note the missing wing feather in lone bird to the left.  Below is yearling bird: all dark face, light belley.  Pelicans are usually three before they reach breeding age so it makes sense the non-breeding immatures owuld leave to come north, making in easier for parents and chicks to find enough food in the less fishy waters of So Cal and Mexico.

ON SHORE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Snoozing male Mallard in eclipse plumage, didn’t even move his head as we walked by.  The sun was warm, his shallow water even warmer.  What Winnie-the-Pooh would call a hummy kind of an afternoon.

 

 

 

Not headless, just heedless.  Night-Heron, Day-Snoozer.

And for now, Adios.  I’m off to Ecuador for motmot, cotinga, a zillion tanagers and a couple toucans.  With luck a questzal and perchance a few antwren.