Here's another shot of a White Pelican, a truly amazing bird. I have seen flocks of dozens of these birds flying so high that you can barely make out what they are. They follow waterways very far inland and can be found in some very unexpected places in the southwest. Notice the breeding configuration, with the yellowish plumage, white crest behind the head, and the "horn" on the bill, which falls off after the breeding season. These birds are second in wingspan and size only to the condor, and can weigh up to 30 pounds. They average about 16 pounds in weight and have a 9 foot wingspan.
1D4, EF400mm f/5.6L
Manual mode, f/7.1@1/3200 ISO 400 WB 4800K
AI Servo autofocus, hand-held no flash
"It is an illusion that photos are made with the camera... they are made with the eye, heart, and head." - Henri Cartier Bresson
Beautiful bird but a bit clumsy...I watched these guys in the Galapagos bellyflop in the water ....pretty funny...Your image is beautiful! I have never seen one in breeding plumage! TFS
American White Pelican redux
