I have seen Brown Pelicans along the Half Moon Bay coast before. However, I never knew that I could drive a few minutes to the Shoreline Regional Wildlife Area in Mountain View to view American White Pelicans.

While pelicans can be graceful in flight…

Nikon D800, AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, ISO 320, 300mm, f/8, 1/1,250s

They can also appear to be careening out of control on landing…

Nikon D800, AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, ISO 450, 300mm, f/8, 1/1,250s

Then, there’s the wacky walk.

Nikon D800, AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, ISO 400, 300mm, f/8, 1/1,250s

A California Gull preparing to land at Shoreline Regional Wildlife Area.

D800, AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, ISO 360, 300mm, f/8, 1/1,250s

The Western Bluebird is King of the Blueberries. I thought the other birds were House Finches looking for a share of the spoils, but I was told (via flickr) that these are two juvenile bluebirds.

Nikon D800, AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, ISO 1600, 300mm, f/8, 1/1,250s

Nikon D800, AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, ISO 1400, 300mm, f/8, 1/1,250s

Four months ago, I took a photo of the Waxing Gibbous Moon with the all-purpose 28-300mm lens.

Tonight, I photographed a 90% full Waxing Gibbous Moon.

Nikon D800, AF-S VR Nikkor 300mm f/2.8G IF-ED II, ISO 100, 500mm, f/4.8, 1/250s

Handheld, but I really need to get this combo (300mm f/2.8 + TC-17EII) on a tripod. The 300mm lens is a beast. Even though I was bracing myself against the car, there were more misses than hits. For a change, I had to scale down the image of the moon to fit the page.

Nikon D800, AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, ISO 900, 300mm, f/5.6, 1/1,250mm

The Black Skimmer is a gull that skims it lower bill along the water surface to catch small fish. Its lower bill is longer than its upper one.

Nikon D800, AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, ISO 320, 300mm, f/5.6, 1/1,250s

A flock of Black-Necked Stilt at Shoreline.

Nikon D800, AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, ISO 200, 300mm, f/5.6, 1/800s

This Black-Necked Stilt was looking for food with an American Avocet.

Nikon D800, AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, ISO 160, 300mm, f/5.6, 1/800s

I visited the Shoreline Regional Wildlife Area this morning. The weather was cool and overcast. So, nothing but gray water and skies. But, there were a lot of birds in the water.

All About Birds from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology is a helpful guide for identifying shorebirds. I got lucky with this one. The American Avocet was at the top of the list. Birds of a feather flock together.

Nikon D800, AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, ISO 160, 300mm, f/5.6, 1/800s

Some ventured out on their own looking for a quick bite.

Nikon D800, AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, ISO 360, 300mm, f/5.6, 1/1,250s

Nikon D800, AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, ISO 300, 300mm, f/5.6, 1/1,250s

I also saw some American Avocet in flight.

Nikon D800, AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, ISO 320, 300mm, f/5.6, 1/1,250s

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology tells me that this bird is a House Finch. This male was enjoying a snack of blue berries at the time. Focus looks a bit off.

Nikon D800, AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, ISO 450, 300mm, f/8, 1/1,600s

At first, I was perplexed. Are these the same birds? Why is one red-breasted and the others not? For house finches, the adult male has an orangish red throat and breast. The plain Janes are female house finches.

Nikon D800, AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, ISO 900, 300mm, f/8, 1/1,600s