62.30: Morro Bay. Birds of and in Paradise, includes Brown Pelicans and People, too, sharing a little Heaven at the Colony.

'Hallelujah'...seems to be the stance of 'Lil Peli'. (Can it Peli!)
More of an earthly stance.
The choirmaster shows the way: "C'mon guys, once more with feeling."

  We returned to Morro Bay, another wonderful location. Notice I did not use the term ‘favorite’ as I’m barred from listing further favorite places of mine. We stayed here 2 months earlier as we made our way north heading to the Bay area. Instead of going on a formal hike, we headed to the local bay and morro where we always expect to see something of interest. 

  We dropped down to water level and made our way over the rocks which separate the bay from the ocean. Lo and behold, we came across a haven or colony of California Brown Pelicans and the occasional seagull. It was overwhelming. As we approached, we wondered whether the hundreds of creatures would fly off in panic. After all, Jenni can be intimidating, especially should she give them the ‘eye’. As a precaution, I suggested she keep her sunglasses on despite the dull weather. We also walked slowly and quietly, not wishing to startle the crowd. We kind of melded in with the flocks like we were birds of a feather, should you catch our drift. 

  The birds closest to us flew to different perches but overall, we did not seem to lose our audience. As we moved along, others returned to fill the vacant rocks. It was an incredible experience, a photographer’s dream and a period filled with both excitement and serenity. It was another period of not knowing what to expect of the day but being rewarded with a unique and entertaining experience, educational, too. 

  Jen noticed earlier that the water level of the bay was low, much less than we’d noticed in the past. A while later, while on the beach sand and upon the rocks, we heard gentle waves. After a while, we realized the tide was returning. Oops! Too much birdbrain thinking. The return hike over the rocks became challenging and very wet which, unfortunately, included a slide and fall on the rocks. Jen thought she heard the one wise guy remark to a friend: “Brains and prayers may be a good thing but in such a situation, nothing beats a wing or two.” 

The 'Quad Qids' prepare for a quartet performance.

'Okay, fellas, let's take that from the top. Squawk in unison.'
A dainty landing, like a dancer, Ellie, whom we know and love.
Meantime, down at the 'Pelican Publican', the kids dive into the fish and...hold the chips. Perhaps, Muizenberg, Cape, circa 1955.
'You wanna see me wing it, guys.'
'Hey, cool it fellas, let's have order here...preferably, order of fat fish wings. 'Wiseguy!'
'Man, what a curve. Pity it's in the wrong position.' 

The coast line from way out in the water.
'Where to now, Jen?' "Probably leaving and heading back to Morro." (Jen, right bottom corner).
'Hey, hurry it up. We forgot the tide is coming in.'
"Hey, wait for me after the morro." 'Can't. I'll be gone before to morro.'
'That's not white paint that you're following, fella. You should know you're stepping in the real stuff'. A few minutes later, we waded through the water and over the rocks and one of us took a rough 'swim'.
When we began it was dull and gray. What a change although we remain dull and gray.
"Aye, Aye, Sir."  'I'll take the salute next time, M'am.' At least we found someone who shows a little respect...Jen said had I considered it might be a mocking bird.

These are what we term the 'heavies'. We give them space and the occasional worm, too. Notice not much humor amongst this lot.
A definite pattern...perhaps, a pecking order.
The proverbial 'birder' or maybe hunter...Jen tells me it beats 'snakers'.
Organized chaos.
'Oh! So you say that's the little house on the prairie...' as we return to terra firma.
Tweets to all, 

Jenni and Jeffrey