What I really wanted was a nice picture of this Snowy Egret lined up with the Pelicans in the background.
Sometimes the terrain keeps you from getting in the right spot and you take what is available.
Black Point Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge, Florida
February 10 2025
Here’s another series of a pair of American White Pelicans making a water landing.
Wingspan: 96.1-114.2 in (244-290 cm)
Black Point Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge, Florida
February 10 2025
American White Pelicans are massive birds with an amazingly graceful flight style.
There snazzy orange feet are pretty big, too.
Their landing is surprisingly quiet, gently hitting the water…
…and tucking in their wings.
Wingspan: 96.1-114.2 in (244-290 cm)
Black Point Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge, Florida
February 10 2025
One year ago I posted American White Pelican photos taken on November 30. Turns out we had a repeat experience yesterday with my first AWPs of the season.
There were about 15 of the big birds, with a few Great Egrets sprinkled in between.
None of the birds were feeding, with the Pelicans just bobbing around.
Maybe they had already eaten or maybe the cold and high water made fish hard to find.
If we had arrived twenty minutes later we would have missed seeing them as first a few took off then the rest of the group lifted into the air. It still surprises me how gracefully and quietly they do this.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
November 30, 2024
American White Pelicans follow the fish when they are feeding, back and forth. The “forth” was good for me as they came a bit closer to the pond edge.
Black Point Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge, Florida
December 31, 2023
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
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.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
November 30, 2023
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Florida
January 17, 2023
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
December 29, 2022
Just paddling on by…
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
December 29, 2022
