pelicans sitting atop rip rap on pelican island in barataria bay and the gulf of mexico, louisiana

animal background barataria bay beak beautiful bird birding blue brown coast coastal colony environment erosion erythrorhynchos fall flight flock global grande grass group gulf island isle jefferson land landscape loss louisiana marsh mexico nature nesting outdoor parish pelecanus pelicans plaquemines preserve rap rest rip rocks rookery seabird south subsidence travel warming water white wildlife wings winter