Yesterday, I visited the Robert S. Kerr Lock and Dam in Le Flore County, Oklahoma, where one of the first birds I photographed was this American White Pelican.

American White Pelican flying over the Arkansas River during pink hour, Robert S. Kerr Lock and Dam, Le Flore County, OklahomaAmerican White Pelican flying over the Arkansas River during “pink hour” – Canon R7, handheld, f8, 1/200, ISO 2500, Canon EF 100-400mm II at 400mm, natural light

Steve Creek and I arrived at the lock and dam before sunrise. It was chilly, not much above freezing. There were already birds on the water and over the Arkansas River, including gulls, cormorants, and pelicans.

Something I’ve noticed since moving here is that the eastern sky often has a lovely red glow before dawn and shortly afterward. I didn’t see that living in Utah because the Wasatch Mountains blocked the sunrise. I remember seeing it before in other states, though.

Rather than the “blue hour” often discussed in photography, there can also be a “pink hour” depending on that red glow to the east.

“Pink hour,” while not a widely used term, refers to the time shortly before sunrise when the sky can take on beautiful pastel hues, including pinks and soft oranges. This phenomenon often happens as the sun sits just below the horizon, illuminating clouds and creating a warm glow that many photographers find appealing.

Some photographers informally call this time “pink hour” because of these softer tones that appear during dawn, especially when atmospheric conditions are just right.

The “pink hour” was glowing and reflecting on the Arkansas River yesterday, and this pelican looked lovely in it.

American White Pelican preening on the Arkansas River at dawn, Robert S. Kerr Lock and Dam, Le Flore County, OklahomaAmerican White Pelican preening on the Arkansas River at dawn – Canon R7, handheld, f8, 1/250, ISO 2500, Canon EF 100-400mm II at 400mm, natural light

The second image shows the same American White Pelican preening as it floats by on the fast-moving Arkansas River at dawn.

These American White Pelican photos will always remind me of my first trip to the lock and dam. Sure, these images aren’t my best pelican photos—I was pretty far away from the bird—but they’ll still hold special meaning for me from that visit.

Life is good.

Mia

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