Brown Pelican (juvenile)

Nothing really show-stopping; I just like how the primaries and secondaries align across the wings in this pose. This species is hella common in the Bay Area between April and November -- they retire to the Gulf of California to breed during the winter -- so I guess this is a long overdue frame. I'm usually too focused on the prettier adults to pay the scruffy youngsters much attention, but I couldn't pass up the soft morning light on this individual.

Half Moon Bay, San Mateo, California, 10/16/21
Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 IS II on EOS R5
1/4000 at f/5.6, ISO 800