Several of these pelicans had eyes bigger than their stomachs.
We spent yesterday morning at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge. Just before the entrance to the loop road we found a group of American White Pelicans lounging just after sunrise in a spot that has become traditional for them over the years. At first the scene appeared peaceful enough but that mood didn’t last long.
Note: the rest of these images are sidelit and contrasty so I processed them globally and quickly which will likely be obvious to some.
When one of the pelicans scooped up a very large dead carp that had apparently been floating on the surface of the water the tension quickly began to build as other birds quickly moved in to investigate. There are two other pelicans just out of frame to both the left and to the right.
The pelican tried desperately to swallow the carp but it just wouldn’t go down. I have many shots similar to this pose as the bird tried to utilize gravity and a straight angle from pouch to esophagus to swallow the fish.
The other pelicans were relentless but patient (at first) in putting pressure on the “owner” of the carp. Here that bird is attempting to swim away from its competitors with the fish still in its pouch.
Note: The epidermal plate or “horn” rising vertically from the upper mandible may not be familiar to some but it’s a normal feature of the species. The horn is shed after breeding season.
Eventually the pressure apparently got to the pelican with the fish and it seemed to panic in all the excitement…
and dropped the carp into the water…
but quickly retrieved it. At this point it became apparent that the carp was headless. I can only guess as to why.
Then the pelican with the fish held its wings out in an apparent attempt to…
fend off the other birds as it made one more attempt at swallowing the carp. Once again it failed and the carp was abandoned in the water for a few minutes before another pelican picked it up and then things got even more interesting.
But there’s far too many images to tell the entire story in a single post so I’ll conclude with “part two” tomorrow morning.
Ron.
Terrific series and post, Ron! The American White Pelicans are known for their efficient “cooperative fishing” technique. I reckon that all goes out the window when somebody hits the jackpot!
Amazing wonderful shots Ron! Thanks for sharing!
Charlotte
I can’t wait to see how this
ended. Great photos!. They all look like they have a huge grin on their face.
I couldn’t believe the size of the fish in its pouch, nice lighting here, I also like their tufts of feathers on top of their heads, “the boys” out fishing.
A suspensefilled post. See you tomorrow.
My father always quoted ‘and his beak can hold more than his belly can…’ about pelicans, and how right he was in this case.
Terrific series Ron!
Nice shots Ron. Can’t wait to see the end of the story.
Good idea to do it in two posts.
And thanks for yesterday explanations.
Side light or not, contrasty or not, these are great shots! Pelicans generally can be fairly comical, especially if one watches them for a time like you did. Man, that pouch can hold a lot of fish.
However, do you know the function of the horn? Is it simply an adornment that is lost after breeding season with no apparent function other than looks? I haven’t a clue and have always wondered about its function. In my mind evolution has a reason.
Wonderful set, Ron, thanks.
Dick – I agree, evolution “has a reason” but it’s not always well understood and the “horn” is a case in point. Many researchers believe that it likely functions in courtship and/or agonistic (fighting) behavior while pair bonds are being formed and territories established. Thank you.
WOW!!!! Looking forward to seeing what happens next!!!! Great story!!! That first shot, Ron, was amazing … as if you’d posed the pelicans … couldn’t have been more picturesque!!!
Lois, I wish birds would follow my posing directions but so far I haven’t discovered how to get them to do it… I do like the way four of the birds in that image form a semicircle around and above the pelican in the water. Thank you.
Ron, A wonderful series of photos. Great story, I can’t wait to see the rest tomorrow. Such great clarity and early morning color. Thanks, Rich Reynolds
Thanks very much, Rich.