Mar 25, 2019 | AF 80-400mm f4.5-5.6D ED VR, American Pelican, American Pelicans 2019, Daily Image 2019, Nikon D300
American Pelicans 2019 | Takeoff American Pelicans are strong fliers. Although they are among the heaviest flying birds in the world, they get off the water very quickly when they takeoff. Although a 9 foot wingspan probably makes it easier, they must be very strong to get airborne so quickly. By contrast, Swans travel a long distance skipping across the water with their feet before finally lifting off. For the whole story with all images, see American Pelicans 2019 | a 7 Image Story.
Mar 24, 2019 | 7 Image Story Posts, AF 80-400mm f4.5-5.6D ED VR, American Pelican, American Pelicans 2019, Daily Image 2019, Nikon D300
American Pelicans 2019 | Portrait The American White Pelican is a large, majestic bird in flight. Their bodies measure up to 5 feet in length, their bills can reach 14 inches, and their wing spans up to 9 feet. In the breeding season, they have a flattened “horn” on the upper bill. They shed the horn after mating. Males and females look exactly alike except the female is a bit smaller. For the whole story with all images, see American Pelicans 2019 | a 7 Image Story.
Mar 24, 2019 | 7 Image Stories, AF 80-400mm f4.5-5.6D ED VR, American Pelican, American Pelicans 2019, Nature, Nikon D300
American Pelicans 2019 | a 7 Image Story Every year in early spring, a small flock of American Pelicans stop to rest and fish in a nearby lake along my walkabout trail. They usually spend 10 days to 2 weeks on the lake. Spring is clearly here when they arrive. Many folks around here, including yours truly, look forward to their arrival each year. They are great fun; such clowns. Of course, they are probably not playing, but they just seem like clowns to me. It’s fun watching them between clicks. Wish they would hang around longer. They are always the highlight of my spring walkabouts.
The American White Pelican is a large, majestic bird in flight. Their bodies measure up to 5 feet in length, their bills can reach 14 inches, and their wing spans up to 9 feet. In the breeding season, they have a flattened “horn” on the upper bill. They shed the horn after mating. Males and females look exactly alike except the female is a bit smaller.
They migrate annually to and through Illinois arriving as early as mid-March. They are strong fliers who alternate flapping and soaring during migration. Although they are among the heaviest flying birds in the world, they soar quite well. Their large yet narrow 9 foot wingspan makes soaring easier. They also get off the water very quickly when they takeoff. Again the 9 foot wingspan probably makes it easier, they still must be very strong to get airborne so quickly. By contrast, Swans travel a long distance skipping across the water with their feet before finally lifting off.
In Illinois American White Pelicans stay along rivers and inland lakes, but they sometimes feed 50 miles from their base. White Pelicans swim and submerge their pouches to scoop fish instead of diving for fish like their cousin, the Brown Pelican. Each bird can eat more than 4 pounds of food a day,
Each image will be posted individually this week with a bit more narrative under category American Pelicans 2019.
Click any image below for a slide show!
Apr 5, 2018 | 7 Image Story Posts, AF-S 70-300mm f4.5-5.6G IF-ED VR, American Pelican, Daily Image 2018, Nikon 1 V3, Spring Walkabout
Spring Walkabout | American Pelicans Again Yes, the Pelicans are so much fun to watch and make a few clicks. Wish they would hang around longer. They are always the highlight of spring walkabouts. To see the entire story with all seven images, go to Spring Walkabout | a 7 Image Story.
Apr 3, 2018 | 7 Image Story Posts, AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8 ED VR II, AF-S TC 2.0 E III Tele-converter, American Pelican, Daily Image 2018, Nikon D3x, Spring Walkabout
Spring Walkabout | American Pelicans A flock of American Pelicans spends 10 days to 2 weeks on a lake, really a slough, along my walkabout trail every year on their way north. They stop every spring for a rest on their way up north. Spring is clearly here when they arrive. This year, they have yet to arrive. Perhaps, it’s just too cold or maybe the lake level is too low. Many folks around here look forward to their arrival each year. They are great fun; such clowns. To see the entire story with all seven images, go to Spring Walkabout | a 7 Image Story.
Apr 4, 2017 | AF-S 70-300mm f4.5-5.6G IF-ED VR, American Pelican, Birds, Daily Image 2017, Nikon 1 V3
American Pelicans at Play Of course, they are probably not playing, but they just seem like clowns to me. It’s fun watching they between clicks on their perch; a log partially submerged. They seem late this year, but they may have been around the area for a while. Soon, they’ll leave to head farther north.
Feb 22, 2017 | 1 VR 30-110mm f/3.8-5.6, American Pelican, Birds, Daily Image 2017, Nikon 1 V3
American Pelican They’ll be back soon. The American Pelicans should be coming back in March. Perhaps, they’ll be back a little sooner this year given how warm its been lately.
Apr 11, 2016 | AF-S 70-300mm f4.5-5.6G IF-ED VR, American Pelican, Birds, Daily Image 2016, Nikon 1 V3
American Pelicans seem to be the clowns of the lake when they around. Their antics are such fun to watch as they play on their log perch.