Category Archives: Water Birds

Water Birds

American White Pelicans, Plus One

January 20, 2024 Ellen Jennings Leave a comment

I was delighted to see a small flock of American White Pelicans feeding in a pond on our recent trip to Florida.

This fellow was happy to find them, too…

And ever so gracefully this huge bird dropped on in.

He had perfect alignment with the feeding flock…

And joined right in while the rest never missed a beat.

From All About Birds: The American White Pelican is one of the largest North American birds

MEASUREMENTS, Both Sexes

Length: 50.0-65.0 in (127-165 cm)

Weight: 158.7-317.5 oz (4500-9000 g)

Wingspan: 96.1-114.2 in (244-290 cm)

Black Point Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge, Florida
December 31, 2023

Water Birds

Grebe and Reflections

January 18, 2024 Ellen Jennings Leave a comment

This Pied-bill Grebe was swimming a canal at the edge of Black Point Drive. The lighting was perfect for reflections of him and the mangroves that lined the other side.

The grey in this next reflection is from a Tricolored Heron that was perched in the mangroves.

The Grebe just kept paddling along, looking around, and I was surprised he didn’t dive

Black Point Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge, Florida
December 31, 2023

Water Birds

Ring-billed Gull Just Standing

December 12, 2023 Ellen Jennings 4 Comments

I walked by on the causeway and he didn’t move.

I walked back by, and he still didn’t move.

Huntington Beach State Park, Murrells Inlet, SC
December 7, 2023

Water Birds

American White Pelicans, They Are Back

December 1, 2023 Ellen Jennings 2 Comments

On our last few trips to Donnelley Wildlife Management Area we have encountered onesies and twosies of a variety of birds. Interesting but not the winter numbers that we’ve been expecting. Yesterday we hit the jackpot, starting with these American White Pelicans that have just recently arrived from their northern sojourn.