Winter American White Pelican on the wing – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2500, ISO 800, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
February isn’t too early in the year to spot an American White Pelican on the wing in northern Utah. In fact, I expect them to start showing up right about now. I checked eBird this morning and I can see a few reports of these large, white waterbirds.
American White Pelican sightings eBird 2021
American White Pelicans breed here on Gunnison Island in the Great Salt Lake. Our American White Pelicans are migratory and most of them spend their winters further south yet I have had American White Pelican sightings every month of the year.
I usually see American White Pelicans at Farmington Bay WMA, Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, or circling in the sky in squadrons overhead.
The pelican in the photo above was photographed on February 15, 2019 and that date was when I saw my first of year American White Pelicans at Farmington Bay WMA. I was super excited to see and photograph the pelicans I found that winter morning in the marshes.
American White Pelican – January 11, 2021 – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/3200, ISO 800, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
In 2021 my first of year sighting of an American White Pelican was on January 11th when I spotted a single pelican way, way out on the water at Farmington Bay WMA. I took a few crappy long distance photos of the pelican to document my first of the year sighting. This image won’t find its way into my galleries but it makes me smile just to view it.
If you are looking for your first of year American White Pelicans in northern Utah it is time to watch for them on the wing or out on the open water.
Life is good.
Mia
To view more of my American White Pelican photos plus facts and information about this species click here.
You inspired me to check eBird for records of sightings in my local south Florida wetlands (West Miramar WCA). I have ween them on only two occasions over the past 10 years– a flock of 23 in 2012 and only a single bird in 2016. It was a thrill to see the flock hunt cooperatively in an advancing line which drove the fish into shallow water in a corner of the lake. Herons and egrets joined in the feast.
There was a relatively large group of American white pelicans at Farmington Bat last Monday.
I adore pelicans (yours and ours). Thank you.
I have seen four way out in the east pond at Farmington Bay this January, but they have drained that pond and the other pond they like to the south. I was going out this afternoon, I will walk out to the west and south were there is more water and look for them. They often fly in at sunset and eat fish in the main channel flowing to the Great Salt Lake too.
You’ve introduced me to a new term “definitive alternate plumage”. Cool!
I’m on Galveston Bay, on the southeast Texas coast. We have a large group of white pelicans that stays here, perched on pilings along the bay, every winter. Just last week I noticed they’d disappeared. I suspect they fly more due north than northwest, but it’s fun to know they’re on the move, and that you’re seeing them.