An American White Pelican in flight, Kamloops.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Taylor Borth
September 04, 2023 - 6:00 PM
It seems American White Pelicans draw attention with their unique and oddly archaic appearance every year as they stop to fish in BC Interior lakes in the late summers on route to southern regions.
Some area photographers got some great captures of the birds although often through a haze of wildfire smoke.
"I saw three pelicans from a distance which was very exciting," said Kamloops wildlife photographer Taylor Borth. She captured them on Kamloops Lake recently. "As I was slowly making my approach through the tall marshy grass, I started to notice several large flocks of pelicans flying in. This allowed me to get some pretty awesome flying shots. Before I knew it, there was close to 50 or more pelicans all gathered together on the pond, repeatedly dipping their large beaks in the water, presumably feeding on something."
American White Pelicans fly over a lake in Kamloops.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Lyn MacDonald
Pelicans are one of the world’s largest birds with with huge bills and distinctive pouches they use to scoop up a wide variety of fish, which is their primary diet, according to American Oceans. The big birds are agile for their size, enabling them to catch prey much smaller than themselves. Once they've caught a fish, they drain the water from their pouches and swallow it whole. There are two species of pelicans in the province, the American White Pelican and the Brown Pelican which is not as common. They migrate north and south across North America in spring and fall and are currently preparing to go south to winter anywhere between Texas and Central America.
Pelicans make a landing on the surface of a lake in Kamloops.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Stephen James
Pelicans soar through smoky skies, Kamloops.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Taylor Borth
This flock of pelicans are landing on Kamloops Lake.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Taylor Borth
An American White Pelican stretches its wings on a lake in the Shuswap.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Sherri Mitchell
These American White Pelicans are seen through wildfire smoke on a lake in the Shuswap.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Sherri Mitchell
American White Pelicans float peacefully on lake in Vernon.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Shane Cox
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