Preening Pelicans
Preening their large bodies requires much time in a pelican's day. Their huge feathers require much attention to keep oiled and to maintain their shape and condition. That long neck and huge beak seems ill fitted for dexterous preening, but they're quite acrobatic in reaching all parts of their bodies!
Last summer about 100 pelicans stayed for 5 weeks at our lakefront before moving on to new territories. I spent hours photographing them and observing their habits and behavior.
It was a real treat to experience.
I work first shift so I would wait till evening fell with its soft light before going down to the lakeshore to observe them. This particular evening was unique in that the sky in the background over Lake Michigan was a soft pink and it stayed that way for quite a while. Perfect for wildlife photography!
Preening Pelicans
Preening their large bodies requires much time in a pelican's day. Their huge feathers require much attention to keep oiled and to maintain their shape and condition. That long neck and huge beak seems ill fitted for dexterous preening, but they're quite acrobatic in reaching all parts of their bodies!
Last summer about 100 pelicans stayed for 5 weeks at our lakefront before moving on to new territories. I spent hours photographing them and observing their habits and behavior.
It was a real treat to experience.
I work first shift so I would wait till evening fell with its soft light before going down to the lakeshore to observe them. This particular evening was unique in that the sky in the background over Lake Michigan was a soft pink and it stayed that way for quite a while. Perfect for wildlife photography!