American White Pelican

 

One of the largest North American birds, the American White Pelican is majestic in the air. The birds soar with incredible steadiness on broad, white-and-black wings. Their large heads and huge, heavy bills give them a prehistoric look. On the water they dip their pouched bills to scoop up fish, or tip-up like an oversized dabbling duck. Sometimes, groups of pelicans work together to herd fish into the shallows for easy feeding. Look for them on inland lakes in summer and near coastlines in winter.

This image, one of my favourite American White Pelican shots, was taken in Yellowstone National Park. We have witnessed the massive migration across the U.S. Midwest in the springtime where the fields are full of Sandhill Cranes and all the ponds American White Pelicans.