I captured some incredible shots of an American White Pelican preparing to swallow its latest catch along the Arkansas River. It was a cold December day in 2013 when I visited the Robert S. Kerr Reservoir in Oklahoma, camera in hand, hoping to spot these majestic birds.
As the wind whipped across the water, I bundled up and scanned the riverbanks. There I spotted a group of pelicans, floating and dipping their large orange bills into the frigid water in search of fish. These social birds often work together, herding schools of fish into tight groups before scooping them up in their built-in pouches.
I grabbed my camera just in time to catch one lifting its head, draining the water from its bill to reveal a still wriggling minnow. In one big gulp, the bird swallowed its meal. At over 10 pounds, these pelicans have quite an appetite! During breeding season, they reportedly do most of their fishing at night, locating prey by touch. But today this one was happy to find a mid-morning snack.
The American White Pelican is an expert fisher, using its gular pouch like a net to catch small fish and amphibians. Watching a group glide across the water and then suddenly plunge their heads below the surface is a sight to behold. I feel privileged to have captured such fascinating behavior in my photography.
As I watched several more successful dives and gulps while the sunlight danced off white wings, I knew this was just one moment in the timeless ritual of wildlife on the river. I can’t wait for my next chance to observe and photograph these spectacular birds again. For now, I’ll review my shots from that cold December day and appreciate this glimpse into the feeding frenzy of the American White Pelican.
Image Information:
- Date: 12/17/13
- Time: 09:54 AM
- Camera: Canon EOS 7D Mark II
- Lens: Canon EF 100 – 400 mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II
- ISO: 100
- Aperture: 7.1
- Shutter: 1/1200
- Exp. Comp.: 0
- Lens (mm): 400
- Program Mode: AV