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Pelicans in the Harbor This watercolor is based on photographs taken by me when I lived in St. Petersburg, FL and worked at the Florida Marine Research Institute (FMRI). As a State Biologist, I studied coastal and offshore mollusks. A highlight for me was a 2-week cruise studying squid population dynamics aboard a 300 ft. Russian stern trawler in the Gulf Stream and beyond - 110 Russian crewmembers and me! Although a large bird in nearly every respect, Brown Pelicans, Pelecanus occidentalis, are the smallest of the eight pelican species. They reach 54 in. in length, weigh up to 12 lbs., and have a maximum wingspan of 8.2 ft. Brown Pelicans live strictly on coasts from Washington and Virginia south to northern Chile and the mouth of the Amazon River, as well as the island of Saut d'Eau in Trinidad and Tobago. Pesticides like DDT and dieldrin threatened its future in the southeast United States and California in the early 1970s. A research group from the University of Tampa conducted research in the Tampa Bay/St Petersburg area and found that DDT caused pelican eggshells to be overly thin and incapable of supporting the embryo to maturity. As a result of this research, DDT usage was eliminated in Florida and the rest of the country. Now US pelican populations are healthy again. The framed original watercolor is in our family collection but limited edition prints and note cards are available. Click here for availability and price.