Surprise Visitor
This morning over at the marsh pond, we were surprised and treated to a visit by an American White Pelican! Earlier in the month we had a good size group of these big white birds visit the pond but today there was just this one. The pelican floated around in the pond for about an hour before finally flying off to it’s next destination.
In the flight photo you can see how impressive the wing span is of the white pelican. In the United States, it’s second only to the California Condor in terms of wing size.
We are hoping that this bird returns soon and brings along a bunch of friends!
Phil Lanoue Photography 
Hi Phil,
I really like the pelican, could admire him in the Walsrode bird sanctuary and photograph.
Have a Happy New Year.
LG Mathilda ♥
Wir freuen uns immer, diese großen weißen Pelikane zu sehen.
Vielen Dank für das Betrachten dieser Fotos.
Happy New Year to you also!
I hope you get your wish!
Thanks Deb, me too. I just got a report about half an hour ago that a group of seven flew by the marsh area so who knows, maybe tomorrow we will have a few new visitors. 🙂
Una bellissima sorpresa che tu hai colto stupendamente con i tuoi scatti Phil.
Ciao, Pat
E ‘stata una bella sorpresa! Grazie Pat
Such a fantastic bird, great captured!
Thank you! These guys are big birds and fun to watch!
I can imagine that, Have never seen one in real life…
We have seen more of them this year then in the past five years combined, which is great since we always love seeing an uncommon species.
You’ve caught the beautiful colors in his beak. Nice!
Thanks, we were happy to see this one since they don’t come around here often.
That certainly is an impressive wing spread. Amazing how it folds up so neatly and compactly.
They are really cool birds and I do enjoy watching them. Thanks for checking these out!
Glorious shots!!!
Hey thanks a million!
Breath taking!!!
I appreciate that Erv, thanks!
I look forward to your photos each day; brings down the stress level! Beautiful.
Well I’m very happy to hear that, thanks so much for the kind words!
What a lovely bird, with such striking colours. Lucky you!
I learned something new today here at your post. I never have seen an upclose shot of the white pelican and how only the top of their bill is pink…how unique! Happy New Years to you Phil.
Beautiful shots of a great bird! We saw our first White Pelicans almost by accident last March while visiting Meritt Island, My wife spotted some White Egrets roosting in the trees, and we stopped for a closer look using our binoculars.. After a couple of minutes some very large White Birds took flight ,from that same area and several other groups joined them and started soaring using the thermals to gain altitude. What a beautiful sight as the Sun was reflecting off of those very large bodies and wings. About then, one lone Spoonbill crossed under them and continued on his way. We were not able to get any photos, but hopefully will always remember this. Thanks, great shots! Happy New Year!
Phil, Think that I might have accidently hit the unsubscribe button for your website. Please disregard, as we really enjoy receiving your blog. . Thanks
Pelicans are so beautiful birds! I love them very much, because of its peacefulness and because of their fascinating beaks.
Beautiful bird, Phil! We rarely get to see these guys in central Arkansas, but a week or two before Thanksgiving a few hundred of them landed in Lake Conway, north of Little Rock. What a treat!