White Pelican Portrait
by Robert Bales
Title
White Pelican Portrait
Artist
Robert Bales
Medium
Photograph - Photo
Description
Found this just after the sunrise while it was looking for breakfast in the Payette River.
The American White Pelican is a graceful flier, either singly, in flight formations, or soaring on thermals in flocks. They soar in different portions of thermals for different distances: wandering flights in lower portions of a thermal, commuting flights at middle heights, and cross-country flights in the upper reaches of thermal columns. They are skilled swimmers, but they do not plunge-dive for prey like their coastal relatives the Brown Pelican. Instead they make shallow dives from the surface of the water or just plunge their heads underwater. They often hunt for food in groups in shallow water.
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 to15.2 in (290 to390 mm) in males and 10.3 to14.2 in (260 to 360 mm) in females. It has a wingspan of about 95 to 120 in (240 to 300 cm).] 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 13.6 kg),[4] 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 (51 to 68 cm) and the tarsus measures 3.9 to 5.4 in (9.9 to 13.7 cm) long.[5] 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 moulting into the eclipse plumage, the upper head often has a grey hue, as blackish feathers grow between the small wispy white crest.
Uploaded
July 29th, 2014
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Viewed 987 Times - Last Visitor from New York, NY on 03/20/2024 at 11:53 PM
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Comments (15)
Linda Phelps
F/L Robert did a wonderful job of editing this pelican. You brought out the details of the feathers without blowing out the whites. The contrast in the colors is wonderful and make this bird stand out beautifully.. Excellent composition! I love the deep blue in the rough water.
Robert Bales replied:
Thanks so much Linda for the great review. I was x=close enough to get a full frame with the 400 mm lens and the morning light sure darken up the water.
Emmy Vickers
Robert - I have so much to catch up since I have been off lines on medical leave. You have taken so many great photos over the last few months. This one is no exception. Love the deep dark blue rough waters contrasted with the white pelican and it's orange beak. Great lighting and colors. He seems to be looking at you. Absolutely stunning!! Added to my favorites. L/F.
Lydia Holly
Lovely Pelican Portrait.....clear, sharp..excellent detail and nice water texture and color! L/F
Robert Bales replied:
Thanks Lydia for the LF and the wonderful comments about the pelican and water!
Jeannie Rhode Photography
Robert, Nice profile capture and colors and details in this pelican against the deep blue waters, Beautiful ! L