White Rock Lake and American White Pelicans go together. The big white birds are a fixture on the lake throughout the winter months. They are especially common at Sunset Bay where these pictures were taken.
Gathering by the scores, these pelicans seem at first glance to be strangely out of place in this urban fresh water setting. Its often assumed that these pelicans are misplaced coastal birds like so many of their relatives. But, no, American White Pelican are inland birds that spend their summers in the north and then migrate south each fall in large v-shaped formations.
On occasion these massed grouping will stop briefly in mid-route. At these times the birds will break out of their formation and gather into a large, undulating organic shape. The pelicans flash their white and black feathers as they follow each other around inside the larger grouping. Eventually, and as if on command, the birds will again form up into their v-shaped formations and continue on their way.
Back at White Rock Lake the pelicans seem to enjoy spending the winter congregating, preening, and fishing. Ah, the good life!
This is a beautiful photo! (americanwhitepelican-winteratwhiterock-009.jpg) I ran across your site through the Lakewood Bubblelife newsletter. What a great idea. It’s so easy to miss the nature all around us.
Thank you for the kind words, Nancy! I hope you’ll keep stopping by!
I saw a group of these Pelicans at Lewisville Lake. I had to look twice thinking they were out of place here in the Dallas area.