Autumn American White Pelican at Farmington Bay – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/3200, ISO 400, -0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Two days ago, as the sun first flooded the marshes with light, I was at Farmington Bay WMA photographing two American White Pelicans float on the water. I love seeing, observing and taking images of these large white birds. These pelicans come to Utah early in the year and some stick around until the marshes freeze over.
Gunnison Island is home to one of this species’ biggest breeding colonies. Before the Great Salt Lake’s level began to decline, it was an island. The island is now accessible to predators via a land bridge. Predators can destroy the colony of nesting American White Pelicans by feasting on the defenseless and flightless young or by eating the eggs of this species before they hatch.
I can’t blame the predators for taking advantage of the land bridge to walk over to the island. Nope. Climate change and the over-use of the water from the rivers that feed into the Great Salt Lake is to blame as much as our rising temps are. Let’s also throw in growing crops and lawns in a desert that are better suited to areas with more rainfall.
American White Pelican reflections – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/4000, ISO 400, -1.0 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
As I photographed these American White Pelicans and their reflections, I couldn’t help but think about their human and climate-induced predicament. I also wondered if my great-grandchildren would still see these large birds soaring on the thermals, feeding on fresh and saltwater fish and resting on the shoreline.
The word “reflections” in my title may have led some of you to believe that it was referring to the reflections in my pictures. Well, those are great, but I really meant to express my own thoughts about these magnificent pelicans.
Wing tagged American White Pelican – Purple and white 311, Farmington Bay WMA, Davis County, Utah
Earlier in September, I found a wing-tagged American White Pelican on Glover Pond at Farmington Bay and sent in the information to the USGS Banded Bird reporting site.
Later that evening, I received the information above on that banded pelican. I have been reporting banded and tagged birds for almost two decades now, and I always find the information I get on the banded birds fascinating.
My hope is that 30 or 40 years from now, there will still be American White Pelicans to band in northern Utah.
These are simply some of my thoughts and reflections that I had while I observed and photographed these birds.
Mia
Click here to see more of my American White Pelican photos plus facts and information about this species.
Is the Pelican Project still alive? I use to follow and see updates on how many pelicans where hatched each year. I have not see a report for a few years now. Perhaps they are not banding and counting any longer, grants and studies do end.
These pelicans look like they know something we don’t. Very beautiful birds.
Unfortunately there is so much draw-down of the lake that its value for wildlife is diminishing. The can change that. Hope they do!
So sad. Add destruction of wetlands to the causes. We have politicians who do not wonder why the rivers keep running even when it is not raining.
Thank you. For all that you see and share.
These Pelican pics can be summed up in one word…perfect! The reflections you captured are terrific. Thanks Mia.
Beautiful birds! I, too, hope our great-grandchildren will see these gorgeous pelicans soar the thermals.