These images of California brown pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis californicus), captured during the winter months of 2008-2009, depict birds at first light in La Jolla, California. These birds comprise the western subspecies of Pelecanus occidentalis found along both coasts of the United States. At the time these images were made, western pelicans were experiencing a widespread, mysterious, recently observed malady that disoriented and killed many birds from San Francisco to San Felipe in Baja California. Preliminary blood test results containing significant levels of domoic acid suggest that the sick birds ingested certain toxic algae. But the gaunt conditions of the birds suggests that domoic acid is not the only cause of the pelican die-off and that other agents are at work. West Coast pelicans are still on the U.S. Endangered Species List.