Around here the White Pelicans are 100% wild and really avoid getting close to people. This area is part of their migration route.

Typically large flocks stay out in the far marshes where we cannot get close at all. A long lens is no help if there is no road and dry land.

A few large groups have gone to rest in the old rice fields that we can reach. Most of them still pretty far away, but not always.

This may be the closest photograph I have had. Enlarged you can see drops of water on his feet and under belly feathers.

There are many Eagles where they picked to stay, but they are too big for them unless hurt. Alligators, well the big ones could be a problem.