Four Resting American White Pelicans

Four resting American White Pelicans – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/3200, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

Four days ago I had two opportunities to photograph American White Pelicans at the marshy wetlands of Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge in northern Utah.

My first opportunity occurred about halfway through the northern section of the auto tour loop where pelicans, gulls, and Great Egrets were feeding on fish where the water was low. I was focused on the Great Egrets because I don’t see them all that often when I heard the sounds of the wings of the pelicans slapping the water as they took off.

The phrags to the east of me had hidden the approach of a small sedan and the forward motion of the sedan caused the flock of pelicans to lift off. I did take a few images of the pelicans in flight but the light angle wasn’t the best.

Later on the west side of the auto tour loop I found four American White Pelicans resting near two Double-crested Cormorants out in shallow water. They were on the wrong side of my Jeep to photograph them so I stopped, turned off my engine, opened my door, and photographed them while using my hood to support my camera and lens.

By remaining partially hidden behind my Jeep I was able to take a nice series of images of these large, white pelicans without disturbing them.

I quite liked the resulting images of the resting pelicans plus the photos made up for the white pelicans that I didn’t get to photograph on my previous trip to the refuge on the last day of March. I’ll always stop for American White Pelicans in great light.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my American White Pelican photos plus facts and information about this species.