We found White Pelicans… we found many White Pelicans. Photographing a White Pelican in flight is nice, but a huge flock posing for you is awesome!!!!
Each bird had a different expression and pose.
I still have a number of images to finish but I did want to highlight the first, since the ‘guy on the left’ stole the show.
He was standing on the shore, looking good, waiting for the ladies to come over.
It doesn’t work for Pelicans either.
Life in the swamps is not all pretty bird photographs. This Pelican was lost and it kept getting worse.
When he flew in there was obvious trouble. First, Pelicans do not come to this swamp. Not a place for a novice to float around in. Worse, it was apparent one of his legs was hurt.
For some reason the Pelican tried to land in one of the cypress trees. Bad idea. Great Blue Herons are closely guarding their nests. The Pelican found a flat spot to land, and a Great Blue stood up and drove him to the water.
Bloodied but actually lucky.
The Heron missed his eye and the Pelican swam off.
His last bit of luck was good though. And he probably didn’t know it. While swimming away from the Heron he caught the attention of an Alligator. Pelicans do not swim in the same water as Alligators so he was most likely unaware of it.
However, he took to the air heading out of the swamp (actually in the direction of the ocean) leaving the Alligator behind.
The first mishap of the spring and no disaster. That’s a good thing.
A red dawn, with passing Pelicans. It is also the second time an Eagle has hidden on the back side of the tree line.
The issue here;Â the same exact branch (I think) and I was looking for him.
I have not finished updating our Black and White site so most likely will continue to add the photographs here.
I always enjoy working with the Pelicans. It’s easy when they are swimming since they have a tendency to just float around. Can’t get easier than that.
One of those ‘you can’t make this stuff up’ photographs.
Pelicans, all pushing and shoving to get the best fish spot.
Taken at one of the commercial fishing piers in Charleston.
Prehistoric is the description I always hear from people when they see this bird up close, and it’s obvious why.
This group of photographs was taken near commercial fishing boats. This allows us to get closer than the Pelicans would normally allow.
Click any image to view the gallery.
It’s a free lunch around these shrimpers so the Pelicans and I take advantage of it.
No more than 6 feet off shore was this clever Pelican. He let the Dolphins chase and confuse the fish, he reaped the rewards.
Above you can see the surf rolling towards me, actually now I wonder why he didn’t float to shore. Could he have been standing right there ?
