White Pelicans In Golden Water
by Robert Bales
Title
White Pelicans In Golden Water
Artist
Robert Bales
Medium
Photograph - Photo
Description
While taking the sunrise over the North fork of the Payette River I watched these beautiful Pelicans capturing fish . The reflection from the sunrise gave the beautiful tones to the river.
The American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) is a large aquatic bird from the order Pelecaniformes. It breeds in interior North America, moving south and to the coasts, as far as Central America and South America, in winter.
The American White Pelican rivals the Trumpeter Swan as the longest bird native to North America. Both very large and plump, it has an overall length is about 50 to 70 in (130 to 180 cm), courtesy of the huge beak which measures 11.3 to 15.2 in (290 to 390 mm) in males and 10.3 to 14.2 in (260 to 360 mm) in females. The species also has the second largest average wingspan of any North American bird, after the California Condor. Body weight can range between 9.2 and 30 lb (4.2 and 14 kg), although typically these birds average between 11 and 20 lb (5.0 and 9.1 kg). Among standard measurements, the wing chord measures 20 to 26.7 in (56 to 68 cm) and the tarsus measures 3.9 to 5.4 in (9.9 to 14 cm) long. The plumage is almost entirely bright white, except the black primary and secondary remiges, which are hardly visible except in flight. From early spring until after breeding has finished in mid-late summer, the breast feathers have a yellowish hue. After molting into the eclipse plumage, the upper head often has a grey hue, as blackish feathers grow between the small wispy white crest.
The bill is huge and flat on the top, with a large throat sac below, and, in the breeding season, is vivid orange in color as is the iris, the bare skin around the eye, and the feet. In the breeding season, there is a laterally flattened "horn" on the upper bill, located about one-third the bill's length behind the tip. This is the only one of the eight species of pelican to have a bill "horn". The horn is shed after the birds have mated and laid their eggs. Outside of the breeding season the bare parts become duller in color, with the naked facial skin yellow and the bill, pouch, and feet an orangy-flesh color.
Apart from the difference in size, males and females look exactly alike.
Immature birds have light grey plumage with darker brownish nape and remiges. Their bare parts are dull grey. Chicks are naked at first, then grow white down feathers all over, before molting to the immature plumage.
Uploaded
August 1st, 2013
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Comments (47)
Christopher James
One of your peers nominated this image in the 1000 Views on One Image Group's Special Features Nominations For Promotion #27 . Please help your fellow artists by visiting and passing on the love to another artist in the the 1000 Views on One Image Group....L/F/Tw
Christopher James
Congratulation.....your wonderful work has been featured in the 1000 Views on 1 Image Group ..... Feel free to place your featured image in the Features Archive and any Genre specific Archive l/f/p
Robert Bales replied:
Thanks, Christopher for the nice feature, congrats, comments, invite, and promotion!
Gary F Richards
Spectacular pelicans composition, lighting, shading, stunning colors and artwork! F/L voted
Neli Stoyanova
Congratulations on being featured on the home page of the FAA Group “Everything Sunset.” I am proud to display and promote your talents.
William Tasker
Lovely image, Robert! Your beautiful and identified bird image has been featured by Wild Birds Of The World, a nature photography group. L/F
Anita Faye
Robert, happy to feature your beautiful work on Poetic Poultry! https://fineartamerica.com/groups/poetic-poultry-.html
Linda Unger
Oh wow, this just jumps off the page! Amazing swirly reflections and wonderful sharpness! FAV!
Robert Bales replied:
Thanks Linda for the great comments and I am very happy that you enjoyed the image!! Thanks for the FAV!!
Marina Hanson
What an incredible capture, Robert! The water reflection is stunning! Beautiful and peaceful image! voted
Robert Bales replied:
Sorry it took so long, but thanks for the great comment on the reflections and the vote!!
Heather King
BEAUTIFUL capture Robert! pelicans are one of my 5 all time fave birds...so hope I can see one someday
Robert Bales replied:
Sorry it took so long and thanks for the very nice comments. I can watch these birds for many hours!!
Karen Nicholson
What a breathtaking image! The pelicans are lovely on the beautiful reflecting water! f/v
Robert Bales replied:
Thanks Karen and they sure caught my eye and thanks for the f/v!! Sorry it took so long I have been on a photos shoot for a week.
Ruth Housley
Very nice capture Robert and love the water colors. F/V Ruth
Robert Bales replied:
Thanks Ruth!! The morning light really does wonders for the water and thanks for the f/v!!