Adult American White Pelican in low light – Nikon D500, f10, 1/160, ISO 1000, -0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I am enjoying seeing the birds that have returned to breed in Utah including this American White Pelican I photographed in low light two days ago at a local pond. Technically it was past sunrise but this pond was still in the shadows of the Wasatch Mountains when I took this image.
This pelican and two others not shown in this photo may have spent the night sleeping on the urban pond. The other two pelicans were resting with their bills tucked into their back feathers. This pelican was preening and getting ready for the day and I focused primarily on it.
The adult American White Pelicans that have migrated back to Utah are in their breeding plumage right now and have “horns” on their bills.
The Importance of the Great Salt Lake For Utah’s American White Pelicans
American White Pelicans in northern Utah nest on Gunnison Island which is in the Great Salt Lake. Because of low water levels Gunnison Island is no longer an island because of the land bridges that formed as the lake level dropped. The land bridges have made it easier for land predators to access the island which has significantly affected the success of the nesting pelicans.
Yesterday morning when I drove to a local convenience store I noticed that at least one of the people in my neighborhood has already started to water their blue grass lawn. I cringed, cursed and thought about the Great Salt Lake water levels. How could I not? People have altered the water flow of the rivers into the lake and while the water used on lawns isn’t the only reason the lake level has dropped it has certainly contributed to it. We live in a desert where water is precious and it ruffles my feathers to see water wasted on lawns.
The Great Salt Lake, the birds and wildlife need the water more.
Xeriscaping and using native drought-tolerant plants in yards can be part of the solution to help the Great Salt Lake water levels along with the birds and wildlife that depend on it.
Life is good. Life is better when we protect nature.
Mia
Click here to see more of my American White Pelican photos plus facts and information about this species.
I know the numbers of chicks on Guinnison Island had dropped from what used to be an average of 5000 to 500 as of 2020. I am trying to find out information on how the Gunnison Colony did last year. Very concerned because last year the lake levels dropped to the lowest in 100 years or so, I think, if I remember correctly.
I live in Utah county and am started a blog last summer on wandering (basically a blog about exploring wilderness spaces) and I am working on a post about the pelicans that fly down from the hatchery to Utah Lake every year to catch fish for their young.
I guess I’m wondering if you have heard any news on the chicks that are hatching this year and how they are faring.
I am so with you about lawns and lawn watering etc. Thanks for posting this blog and I am enjoying your lovely pelican photos! I will be sure to subscribe to your blog.
🙂
Juni-Jen
What a Beautiful pelican. I sure hope people cwake up and conserve water before it’s too late.
My favorite pose!
Lawns versus pelicans (or any other wildlife for that matter) is a battle the lawn would always lose in my eyes.
And thank you for this superb photograph of a bird I have a huge soft spot for (despite ours being different).
This is a special shot, Mia. I don’t think it would carry the same emotion without the low light and having the pelican all the way on the left side of the image.
Superbly detailed photograph. The low light adds a richness that’s hard to come by with an all-white bird.
If only education could be followed up with a firm “slap up the side of the head” to get the attention of the morons. Alas, we are vastly outnumbered …..
Wow! I would so love to see these beautiful creatures in real ife someday. Not going to happen
but nice to dream about. Meantime, these shots are gorgeous!
Great capture Mia! I love these huge birds and was enthralled watching a flock of 22 flying over the Sacramento River yesterday!