Brown Pelicans like to perch up high around the boat docks in their version of King of the Hill. The view is good, potential food is easily spotted, and its a good place to dry off.
A wider view showing a couple of Laughing Gulls in some prime spots.
Shem Creek, Mount Pleasant, SC
August 5, 2025
Here are some more images from our boat trip to Bird Key – Stono. Following up on my previous post, we didn’t see any chicks, but did see some amazing activity, including this Brown Pelican poised for a dive.
Landing on the island is not allowed during nesting season. In addition to the Brown Pelicans, numerous shore birds including Laughing Gulls and Oyster Catchers nest here.
Dogs are never welcome.
The shape of the island is constantly changing, with Pelicans hanging around on all sides, resting or grooming.
This expanse of sand that faces the open ocean has recently expanded but is extremely vulnerable to storm surge as well as the normal accreting and depletion that all ocean facing beaches experience.
June 14, 2025
Bird Key – Stono, a barrier island that sits in the mouth of South Carolina’s Stono River, between Kiawah and Folly Islands.
All photos taken from a boat.
Ted and I had the opportunity in June to take a guided boat adventure to see juvenile Pelicans. This year we were back at Bird Key – Stono Seabird Sanctuary which failed as a breeding colony last year due to predator activity.
A number of Brown Pelicans were sitting on nests at the top of a dune and unfortunately chicks were not visible, and may not have hatched yet.
We did get some nice in-flight sightings on the boat trip out.
And some Pelicans that weren’t on nest duty were standing around on the beach.
This beauty glided by us as we were making the return trip to land.
June 14, 2025
Bird Key – Stono, a barrier island that sits in the mouth of South Carolina’s Stono River, between Kiawah and Folly Islands.
All photos taken from a boat.
Brown Pelicans feed in the marsh inlets between Magnolia Cemetery and the Cooper River. Occasionally they land in the cemetery pond for a rest, like this one in mid December.
Then, with what looks like amazing effort he lifted off.
A couple of small foot splashes in the water…
a powerful downbeat of his wings…
… and he was away.
Magnolia Cemetery, Charleston, SC
December 14, 2024
Shem Creek, Mount Pleasant, SC
February 9, 2024
It’s an almost 1/2 mile (675 Meter) trek to the beach, most of it through an open marsh with this one dead tree standing at the edge of the walkway.
One small fishing boat cruised back and forth parallel to the beach.
Brown Pelicans and some terns and/or gulls were feeding.
A few dolphin passed by, too, but alas no photo.
Botany Bay Wildlife Management Area, SC
October 19, 2023
It was a little too windy for this Brown Pelican to just glide over the water…
…he was working it the whole way I watched him across the harbor.
Baby Pelican Cruise with Coastal Expeditions, leaving from Daniel Island on the Wando River side down to Charleston Harbor and the New Crab Bank just off Shem Creek.
Other posts from this adventure
Charleston Harbor, SC
June 23, 2023
Another few Brown Pelican chick pictures… I’ve run out of things to say about them other than they are so interesting to see and I’m rooting for their survival.
The chicks need to be protected from the sun so the adults take turns providing shade. The darker brown on this adult’s neck is part of their breeding stage look.
Baby Pelican Cruise with Coastal Expeditions, leaving from Daniel Island on the Wando River side down to Charleston Harbor and the New Crab Bank just off Shem Creek.
Other posts from this adventure
Charleston Harbor, SC
June 23, 2023
Brown Pelican nests don’t amount to much and if this is all you can deliver at one time it is a good thing.
I try to avoid “the hand of man” in my nature images, but the closeness of this sign and the blurred boat above show how intimately entwined these birds are with humans.
Hmm, which one is MY mate?
A very delicate pass-off maneuver with those big beaks.
Success!
The bird on the nest didn’t get up so I suspect there might already be eggs or new chicks under her. From a bobbing boat you don’t always get to see the full story.
Baby Pelican Cruise with Coastal Expeditions, leaving from Daniel Island on the Wando River side down to Charleston Harbor and the New Crab Bank just off Shem Creek.
Other posts from this adventure
Charleston Harbor, SC
June 23, 2023
Baby Pelican Cruise with Coastal Expeditions, leaving from Daniel Island on the Wando River side down to Charleston Harbor and the New Crab Bank just off Shem Creek.
Other posts from this adventure
Charleston Harbor, SC
June 23, 2023
