Adult Brown Pelican on the Bear River – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/640, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
In late June and early July I saw Brown Pelicans in Virginia while I visited with my family there, at that time I didn’t have my bird photography gear with me but I was thrilled to see them in flight and on the waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay. I hadn’t photographed Brown Pelicans since I last saw Florida in my rear view mirror in 2009.
Yesterday I saw and photographed a Brown Pelican here in Utah at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge as it rested and preened on logs in the Bear River, a real Utah rarity. This Brown Pelican was first reported on August 23rd by Laura Lockhart (see her sight record here) and it was also seen by her daughter Maisy Phelps. The sighting was sent out through several Utah bird list servs and since then the bird has been seen and photographed by many people. Once accepted, and I am sure it will be, this will be the 10th record of this species in Utah.
Preening Brown Pelican in Utah – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/800, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Last week I dipped on the Brown Pelican on a trip to the refuge but I found it yesterday morning and finally got some photos of it.
We have American White Pelicans here in Utah and we are used to seeing them from for a large portion of the year because they breed here on Gunnison Island out in the Great Salt Lake but this rare Brown Pelican is way off course from its normal, coastal range.
Brown Pelican resting on a log on the Bear River – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 640, -0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
The Brown Pelican didn’t do much while I had it in my viewfinder and I probably took way too many photos of it but I don’t care, it was unique to see here in land-locked Utah and the setting of the Bear River was definitely different than the many times I have photographed this species back East.
Adult Brown Pelican perched on a log – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2500, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
On the way out from the auto tour route I was able to find the Brown Pelican again and although the light wasn’t as good as it had been earlier in the morning I took even more photos of this visiting Brown Pelican before heading home plus I was also able to point it out to a couple who drove up while I was taking images of the bird. I would have loved to have photographed this pelican floating on the surface of the Bear River but that was not to be. If this rare Brown Pelican hangs around perhaps I will have another chance to get that photo.
Brown Pelican floating on the Gulf – Nikon D200, handheld, f6.3, 1/750, ISO 160, Nikkor 80-400mm VR at 400mm, natural light
I hope the wandering Brown Pelican finds a way to return to a coastal area where it can join others of its species so it can mate, have young and live a long life.
The photo above was taken on 26 February, 2009 at the north beach of Fort De Soto County park in Pinellas County, Florida while this Brown Pelican floated on the beautiful, warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
Seeing and photographing the Brown Pelican yesterday was great and although it wasn’t a lifer for me it was the first time I’ve seen and photographed this species in Utah. I photographed other birds too but those photos can wait to be shared.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Brown Pelican photos plus facts and information about this species.
Thanks for continuing to share great photos together with informative facts on birds you’ve found in the local area! ….and other wildlife from time-to-time.
You’re welcome to come visit me in SoCal and get lots of shots of Brown Pelicans. I never tire of watching them and their antics! Your White Pelicans seem so exotic to me — funny the perspectives we have based on experiences. 🙂
Wow. This is so very different to ‘our’ pelicans – and still immediately recognisable.
I share your hope that it can return home (or find other brown pelicans in its new territory).
And I cannot help wondering what took it so far from normal haunts.
Wonderful images! The last time I saw one of these was on the pier in Florida, years ago now. It allowed me to get close enough for a good snapshot.
Something must have gone haywire with the pelican’s GPS. I had a similar experience at 7500 feet elevation in the Sandia Mountains of New Mexico around 1995. A Brown Pelican flew in and settled on a small lake next to the road to the summit. I was not into photography but I did publicize its location and I know other birders confirmed its presence. However eBird shows no reports of sightings ever for that area. What a difference now in this electronic and digital age!
That is great! I sometimes wonder whether we (humans) as we extend ourselves into more and more land are pushing birds to find more space for themselves.
As I mentioned to Ron we have had a White Pelican this year, which is highly unusual for upper state Vermont.
Awesome
Congratulations, Mia, on photographing this rare sighting!