American White Pelican in flight over Farmington Bay WMA – Nikon D500, f8, 1/2500, ISO 320, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I get spoiled seeing American White Pelicans here in northern Utah during the breeding season at Bear River MBR, along the causeway to Antelope Island, at Farmington Bay WMA and flying high in the sky. Over the past few weeks though I have seen their numbers dwindle as they head south on migration. I might see some linger as late as early December but the majority of them seem to have already migrated.
Late last month while I was at Farmington Bay I was able to photograph this American White Pelican in flight over Farmington Bay WMA up close as it flew past me. It was almost too close because in a few frames I clipped its wings when they were completely raised or lowered but with its wings at it sides and a bit further away I could fit the entire pelican in the frame.
If you would like to follow some of the American White Pelicans from Utah on migration a few of them have been fitted with solar-powered GPS transmitter backpacks and the PeliTrack map shows their locations. I find it interesting to see where our American White Pelicans migrate to during the winter.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my American White Pelican photos plus facts and information about this species.
Love that wing curl.
Great capture with the D500. And thanks too for the interesting PeliTrack link.
Not sure what variety of white pelican, but pelicans gather by the numbers in central Minnesota in the spring – a whole lake can look white! Some remain in MN through the summer. I was glad to recently learn about the beak addition (like a small sail, right off the upper beak) having to do with breeding – and then disappearing later. A prior mystery even to rellies living on lakes ion MN.
Tired and depressed…even funny pelican imagesdoesn’t help….
Hugs.
Sending good thoughts your way, Patty.
Beautiful. I would love to see an American White Pelican. I hear that some are breeding on the west end of Lake Erie so hopefully they will move eastward.
Beautiful image, Mia.