Sunshine State of Mind

Good morning Brown Pelicans

plunging into the gulf.

Hello turquoise ocean

and the clattering

leaves of palms.

Hello tropical waters,

welcoming me again

to a sunshine state of mind.

© 2026 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. & 2. Sanibel Island, Florida

3. Fort Myers, Florida

4. Vero Beach, Florida

 

Ocean Light

Ocean light

makes my eyes squint,

but brightens my day

as I behold the palette of blues.

A squadron of Brown Pelicans

glides above the rolling waves.

I hear the tuneful whistle

of an Osprey near its nest.

My face is brushed

by a gentle gulf breeze.

I am entranced

by ocean light.

                                                                © 2026 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. & 2. Sanibel Island - Florida

3. Lowdermilk Park - Naples, Florida

The Shiny Ocean

 

I long to hear the song

of the shiny ocean

gliding onto shallow shores,

polishing the slopes of sand

with a brief shimmering light;

again, again, and again.

I want to return

to the seashore

to watch the Willets

dancing in and out,

leaving tiny tracks

along the reach of the surf.

To witness Brown Pelicans

flying in formation

skimming close to the surface, then

plunging their massive bodies

headlong into the water;

a scoop of cold fish soup.

After these many winters

hiking dry desert washes,

I thirst for the sensation

of waves washing my feet,

and the wide horizon curving away,

carrying shiny ocean dreams.

© 2023 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1.  Beverly Beach State Park - Oregon

2. La Jolla, California

3. Barefoot Beach - Florida

4. Barefoot Beach - Naples, Florida 

5. Sanibel Island - Florida

The Shiny Ocean

 

I long to hear the song

of the shiny ocean

gliding onto shallow shores,

polishing the slopes of sand

with brief  shimmering light,

again, again, again.

I want to return

to the seashore

to watch the shorebirds

dancing in and out,

leaving tiny, temporary tracks

along the reach of the surf,

that rinses away 

any trace of their tracks.

To witness the Brown Pelicans

flying in formation

close to the surface, then

plunging their massive bodies

headlong into the water;

coming up with a scoop

of cold fish soup.

After these many winters

hiking dry desert washes,

I thirst for the sensation

of waves washing my feet,

and the wide horizon curving away,

carrying shiny ocean dreams.

© 2021 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Neptune Beach - Oregon

2. Sunset Beach, North Carolina

3, 4, & 5. Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park - Naples, Florida

hors d'oeuvres

two dying minnows

trapped in the pelican's pouch

fresh hors d'oeuvres for lunch

© 2021 Richard Havenga

Photo Location: Brown Pelican - Lover's Key State Park - Florida

Rippled Reflection

rippled reflection

a ponderous pelican

prepared for the plunge

© 2013 Richard Havenga

(Click on photo to enlarge)

American White Pelican:  Pelecanus  erythrorhychos





Photo Location:  Oxbow Bend,  Snake River,  Grand Teton National Park,  (Teton)  Wyoming (Wyoming)

Fishin' Buddies?

(Click on photo to enlarge)

White Pelican
floating high,
boasting buoyancy,
scooping fish while
power paddling upstream.

Cormorant
mostly submerged,
diving with ease,
an underwater arrow,
a fishing spear.

Big bird bothered
by persistent,
pursuing diver.
Cooperation, competition,
or Fishin' Buddies ?

©  2012  Richard Havenga

American White Pelican - (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos)

Length: 62" (157 cm)

Wingspan: 108" - 8 - 9.5 ' ( 244 - 290 cm)


Double-crested Cormorant - (Phalacrocorax auritus)

Length: 32 - 33" (81 - 84 cm)

Wingspan: 52" (130 cm)




Photo Location: Snake River, Grand Teton (Teton) National Park, Wyoming (Wyoming)


 

Ponderous Pelican

Ponderous Pelican

yet graceful flyer

powerful stroking flight

alternating short glides

skimming inches

above the water.

Silently you sail

rarely emitting

a low croak

with your head

drawn back to shoulders

no need to soar.

Constant along coasts
you forage shallow waters
of oceans, bays and lagoons.
Nesting in colonies
on small, remote islands
loyally raising your brood.

Roosting in large groups
on preferred sandbars
resting on rocks
buoys and beaches
perching on pillars
posts and piers.

In small flocks
of synchronized sailing
a straight line of aviators
glides low over ocean water
nearly touching it
with wide wingtips.

From the salty air

you dive straight down

plunging bill first

with spectacular twisting

breaking through the surface

filling your pouch with fish.

Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)

Size: 48 - 50 inches (122-127 cm)   Wingspan: 6.5 feet (198 cm)

Photo Location:  La Jolla (La Jolla),  California