Pic of the Day

Great White Pelican, Pelecanus onocrotalus:

Ding Darling NWR; Sanibel Island, Florida

Great White Pelican, Pelecanus onocrotalus:

Ding Darling NWR; Sanibel Island, Florida

Great White Pelican, Pelecanus onocrotalus; with 

American White Pelicans, Pelecanus erthrorhynchos

Ding Darling NWR; Sanibel Island, Florida

     On February 28, I arrived at Ding Darling NWR to photograph birds, and discovered that a Great White Pelican had arrived the same day.   The Great White Pelican breeds from southeastern Europe through Asia, and in Africa in swamps and shallow lakes.  As you can image the bird was making quite a splash (pun unintended, but works).

     At this date, a month later, I have not heard anything about the origin of the bird, but it did not have any bands.  The above images were taken on February 28, as the pelican rested on a sandbar.  The close-ups are heavily cropped.  By the way, when I arrived there were many, many birders observing this bird.  It was seen by a ton of people.

Pic of the Day

American White Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis:  Viera Wetlands; Viera, Florida

     One of the largest birds in the Americas, the American White Pelican has a wingspan of 9 feet.  One of the largest birds in the Americas, the American White Pelican has a wingspan of 9 feet.  They breed in fewer than 60 locations in our western states and Canada. They winter along the Gulf Coast, Mexico, and the southern half of California.  This bird was one of many in flock that were feeding in the water impoundments of the Viera Wetlands near Viera, Florida. 

     Unlike the Brown Pelican who dives from great heights to catch its prey, the white pelican often group together to herd fish into shallow waters where they are scooped up with the pelicans pouched bills.  The American White pelicans are the only one of the pelican species to have a horn on its upper bill.  The horn grows in the early spring and is shed after bird mate and lay eggs.  This photo was taken in March on the birds wintering territory, but as you can see the horn is well under development.

Hear the croaking call of the American White Pelican here:

http://birds.audubon.org/birds/american-white-pelican

To read cool facts about the American White Pelican go to:

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_White_Pelican/lifehistory

Tech. Info:  Nikon D800, Nikkor 500mm f4, 1/2500 second @ f6.3

Pic of the Day

American White Pelican, Pelecanus erythrorhynchos:  Viera Wetlands; Viera, Florida

     The American White Pelican is a large bird.  It can reach a weight of 19.8 pounds, and reach 5 feet, 3inches in length with a wingspan of 9 ½ feet.  This bird was photographed landing in a water impoundment at the Viera Wetland, near Viera, Florida.  White pelicans are common birds during the winter and early spring at Viera, but come late March they begin winging toward the Northwest to nesting grounds in Utah, Wyoming, California and wetlands further north.

Nikon D800, Nikkor 500mm f4, 1/2500 second @ f6.3

Pic of the Day

American White Pelican, Pelecanus erythrorhynchos: Viera Wetlands; Viera, Florida

Top - Nikon D800, Nikkor 500mm f4, Exposure 1/3200 second @ f 6.3
Bottom - Nikon D800, Nikkor 500mm f4, Exposure 1/2000 second @ f 6.3