Paintings of Pelicans and Trains in San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano

Painting of "Reverence for Pelicans" Flying in the Surf

Coastal Commute:
Eastbound Pelicans

San Juan on the Old Santa Fe Trail

 Paul Gavin has painted pelicans and people as they commute up and down the Southern California coast through San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano.   Pelicans fly silently and gracefully as they find, follow and use the off shore and on shore wind currents along the coastal cliffs and out in the waves and surf.  People travel up and down the coast by train which are also animal like as large silvery snakes that swiftly and curvaceously slither along the glistening rails, rumbling as they hug the small shelf between the land and the sea.  While the birds are silent, the trains moan; lights flash and bells ring as they approach emitting a roar that is simultaneously mournful and menacing.   The pelican travelers are featured in "Coastal Commute: Eastbound Pelicans" and the human pilgrims in "San Juan on the Old Santa Fe Trail".   

                  

San Clemente Pier Pelican Feeding Frenzy

Pelicans, seagulls & coots are flying in to the San Clemente Pier from all over and are performing a beautiful aerial ballet as they all dive for fish. As hectic as it seems it is amazing that all of this is done without any collisions or birds going for the same fish. Beautiful to watch.

San Clemente Coastal Commuters and Air Shows

Pelicans over the San Clemente Pier

All day multiple groups of Brown Pelicans have flown over the San Clemente Pier in their usual elegant and brilliantly fluctuating formations.  These “Coastal Commuters” are magnificent creatures and represent the best in flight.  They are always an “air show”;  as they pass in my mind I hear the roar of jet engines.

Coastal Commute

Speaking of aerial demonstrations, today's traditional Indy 500 military jet flyover was performed by civilian aircraft this year.
“Sequestration” mandated DOD budget cuts has grounded all military flight demos including the Thunderbirds & Blue Angels.

These cuts will also affect the MCAS Miramar Air Show with which we have been involved for years.  What’s happening for 2013?  Although the Blues won’t fly the base is still pressing forward to plan and execute the show.  The final decision will be made in July.  As for the pelicans I’m glad they’re ignoring Sequestration memo.  Their budgets are in order.