American White Pelicans In Winter

The American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) is a large pelican that breeds in the interior lakes of North America and migrates along the... more

by Morris Finkelstein

Title

American White Pelicans In Winter

Artist

Morris Finkelstein

Medium

Photograph

Description

The American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) is a large pelican that breeds in the interior lakes of North America and migrates along the Pacific coast to winter in California, Mexico and Central America. It measures about 62 inches in length and about 16.4 pounds in weight. It is tied with the Trumpeter Swan for the greatest length of any North American bird, and has the second greatest wingspan, after the California Condor! Unlike the Brown Pelican, the American White Pelican doesn't dive for fish but catches its prey while swimming in groups, corralling prey. In addition to fish, it will also consume amphibians and crustaceans; each pelican eats about 4 pounds of food each day.

This flock of American White Pelicans standing at the water's edge on a very cold winter morning near the Melvin Price Locks and Dam and the Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary in West Alton, Missouri was photographed on 2-19-2021; a mist was rising from the water in a small inlet, as the air temperature was only 9 degrees. I used a Nikon D850 camera body and a Nikkor 500mm f/4.0E FL ED VR2 telephoto lens to capture this image. Settings: 1/3200 sec, f/5.6, ISO 280. This 3,700 acre sanctuary located on the Mississippi River watershed is managed jointly by the Audubon Center at Riverlands and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

I am honored that my photograph was featured in the Fine Art America groups:
Gentlemen Club Art Group, 2-20-2021
The Outdoor Photographer, 2-21-2021
FAA Portraits - Birds, 2-22-2021
New FAA Uploads, 2-24-2021
Wildlife One-A-Day, 2-25-2021
Midwest America Photography, 2-28-2021
Poetic Poultry, 3-12-2021
Water Forms, 3-28-2021
Just Perfect, 4-2-2021
USA Photographers Only, 4-3-2021
A Birding Group - Wings, 5-25-2021
Art Forever With You, 8-3-2021
Five Star Artist, 9-3-2021
Your Best Work, 12-16-2023
10 Plus, 1-30-2024
All About Birds, 2-1-2024
Four Seasons, 2-1-2024
Go Take A Hike Photography, 3-25-2024

First Place In FAA Contest
"Large Flock Of Birds Photography"
5-20-2022; Adnin. Larry Kniskern

First Place in FAA Contest
"Coastal Birds In Groups"
1-22-2022; Admin. Jeff Iverson

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Uploaded

February 19th, 2021