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The Kitchen Table

American White Pelican

8 years ago

Yesterday, I took a drive with my camera and tripod that I was trying out. I found a group of white pelicans at Horicon Marsh, WI. I set up the camera and tripod and waited and then made a few shots. These birds were quite wild and wary. They would approach to safe distance before flying off to repeat the process. In flight, black flight feathers show at the ends of the wings. These are hidden with the wings folded. They are very graceful in flight and when landing on water. It amazing how easily they fly considering their size and weight.

According to several sources, Horican Marsh is out of their normal summer range. It is barely on the eastern edge of its migratory zone. I was privileged to thee birds at this time of the year. Normally, they would be in the Dakatos, Minnesota and Canada. The large marsh attracted them for this season. Also, they may be changing their habitat.

American White Pelican

Horicon Marsh, WI

05 Jul 2015 - Mid afternoon. About 30X zoom

Featured Answer

PKponder TX Z7B

8 years ago

They overwinter here usually in my part of Texas. They are very skittish and I find it difficult to get a close shot. I've been privileged twice in 20 years to see them lift off for their northbound journey. They circle until the whole flock is in the air (like a white tornado) and then head off to the north. When they are leaving, they don't have a formation that I can determine.

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Comments (6)

susanjf_gw
8 years ago
do you suppose the fire in Canada , with the smoke crossing the border has made them look for sanctuary out of normal bounds?
socks
8 years ago
What a wonderful experience for you.
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jemdandy
Original Author
8 years ago
PKponder:

You described the behavior of White Pelicans as the prepare to start their migratory flight. That has got to be a sight to behold. Bird books mention that their migratory flight is disorganized with each bird acting as an individual, but I am wondering about their take-off procedure. I wonder if they are using the same technique as cranes.

In the past 20 years, we are seeing more migrating sandhill cranes passing through. Unlike geese, their flight seems much more leisurely and playful untill it was explained to me what they were doing. Cranes will sail along and slowly drop altitude until they find a thermal. They will use this thermal as an elevator to gain altitude. The flock will fly into the thermal and circle in it while it shoots them upward. It looks like they are playing. They stay in the same location playing the thermal for all its worth before gliding off to the next thermal. Its a slow way to travel, but labor saving. That explains why they may prefer sunny afternoons to fly.
murraysmom Zone 6a OH
8 years ago
Wonderful picture and lots of interesting information. Thanks for sharing all that.
cathyid
8 years ago
We live a short walk to a large river here in Idaho. We see the white pelicans both spring and fall migrations. We have seen as many as a dozen at a time. When they bunch up, we know to get down to the river because they feed on both carp and other smaller fish during the carp spawn. Amazing sight to see the carp and then when the pelicans show up, the fun really starts. The river is so low this year with the drought, we were afraid we would miss this show, but nature prevailed. I think I heard these particular bird winter at the Salton Sea in California and I wish I knew where the go to when they head north. Very nice photo.

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