Photos: Seagulls and Pelicans feast on smelt at Pilarcitos Creek

Pelicans and seagulls flocked to the mouth of Pilarcitos Creek Wednesday evening to feast on smelt that had come into the surf to spawn. There are two kinds of smelt that are caught locally. Night Smelt (Spirinchus starksi) are about 5.5 inches and lay their eggs at night. Day Smelt (Hypomesus pretiosus) can be up to 10 inches and lay their eggs during the day. There is a display on the smelt in the visitor center at Francis Beach.