Adult American White Pelican
Yesterday at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge there were two American White Pelicans that were close enough to photograph as they floated on the Bear River, it was a cloudless morning so the river was a gorgeous blue which always sets off the whites of these big, beautiful birds.
American White Pelican on the Bear River
This pelican was sporting a long, shaggy “do” that would stand straight up as the wind blew. Photographing these large white birds can present exposure challenges, I tossed a few over exposed images into my delete bin but for the most part the series I took came out very well.
American White Pelicans breed here in Utah and many nest on isolated islands in the Great Salt Lake, they often fly long distances to freshwater locations such as Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge to capture fish for their young as the Great Salt Lake near those islands is too hyper saline to have fish.
Happy Friday,
Mia
Click here to see more of my American White Pelican photos plus facts and information about this species.
Some of my favorite birds! We have them here in Minnesota and I get to see them on a regular basis at work – seems like we always have at least one pelican in rehab…
Tami, thanks for your comment. They are great birds and it is always sad when they need to go to a rescue or rehab facility.
Thanks to everyone who commented, I appreciate it!
Superb detail!
Excellent captures, Mia! You definitely nailed the exposure; such beautiful color and detail! White Pelicans are magnificent!
Very nice job of handling the exposure! I love watching these guys when they get together and do their “cooperative fishing” thing!
nice portrait, the straits feathers on the head give a nice presentation too
have a nice evening mia
It’s a large looking species that you’ve given us, it is fantastic. And it’s down to your photographs, clear and brilliant.
You captured the vivid colours of their bills and water. Their plumage here is beautiful.
I was so excited the first time I saw a brown pelican. Your photos of these White Pelicans are really lovely! Pelicans are such graceful birds and it’s so much fun watching them hunt (fish?).
the blue and yellow look great together, beautiful images mia. they look so different than the aussie pelicans, amazing birds
Oh, delightful. I adore those creatures, and I LOVE to watch them fly & hunt. THANKS for the happy treat!
Excellent Tone and Detail. I wonder, what if we had a mouth that size, how mealtimes might be different 😉
Gorgeous bird Mia. One of my favorite birds.