Pacific Beach in San Diego County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
The Ballad of P.B.
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, May 30, 2015
1. The Ballad of P.B. Marker
Pelican Brown was in search of a home
where he could have fun and relax
he looked for a beach that was pretty
and a sea that was swimming with snacks.
He flew up and down the long coastline
looking both far and quite near
then one day he knew he had found it
when his eyes saw the great Crystal Pier.
On the end was a big crystal ballroom
dancers came from all over the west
and since Pelican Brown loved to tango
he dressed up in his best velvet vest.
He fit right in with the others
tangoed many a night until dawn
Pelican Brown loved the beat of the music
and danced until the others were gone.
Then he's fly out and find him some breakfast
the happiest bird all around
and everyone loved when they looked up
and caught sight of Pelican Brown.
The dancing bird soon became famous
people came from all over to see
the great crystal ballroom and dance hall
and the pelican known as P.B.
Poem by Jan Phillips ©2004 Jan Phillips
Concept and sculpture by T.J. Dixon & James Nelson
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Arts, Letters, Music • Environment.
Location. 32° 47.663′
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in California’s Peninsular Ranges. It is also on the American Pacific Coast. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Surfer's Memorial (approx. 0.8 miles away); Charles W. Hardy (approx. 1.6 miles away); Giant Dipper (approx. 1.6 miles away); Mission Beach Roller Coaster (approx. 1.6 miles away); Belmont Park (approx. 1.6 miles away); Kate Olivia Sessions' Nursery Site (approx. 2.1 miles away); The Lifeguard (approx. 3.2 miles away); Ocean Beach Veterans Memorial (approx. 3.2 miles away).
More about this marker. P.B. is used equivocally here, referring to Pelican Brown and to Pacific Beach.
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, May 30, 2015
2. The Ballad of P.B. Marker
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, May 30, 2015
3. The Ballad of P.B. Marker
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, May 30, 2015
4. Pelican Brown
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, May 30, 2015
5. Pelican Brown
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, May 30, 2015
6. Pelican Brown
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, May 30, 2015
7. Pacific Beach Life Guard Station
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, May 30, 2015
8. The P.B. Tango
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, May 30, 2015
9. Pelican Brown
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, May 30, 2015
10. The Brown Pelican
(Pelican Occidentalis)
(Pelican Occidentalis)
The once numerous Brown Pelican was first declared endangered in 1903, due to the popularity of using its plumage on ladies hats. With the widespread use of the chemical DDT throughout the 20th Century, then numbers sank to alarmingly low levels. After a recent ban on DDT the Brown Pelican population is on the rise again. However due to persistent DDT residue levels and other environmental threats, they remain on the endangered species list in many parts of the coastal United States, including California.
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, November 24, 2018
11. Brown Pelican
Credits. This page was last revised on August 18, 2020. It was originally submitted on June 7, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 907 times since then and 55 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. submitted on June 7, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 11. submitted on December 6, 2018, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
