American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) nests in prairie potholes in scattered areas of the northern great plains and southwest Canada. There is also a population that nests along the Texas Gulf Coast. The four shown in the top image were at Bolivar Flats, Galveston Co., Texas, in March 2001 and were photographed with a Canon EOS 3 and EF 500mm F/4 L IS lens with a 1.4 X extender on Fuji Velvia. The sunset shot was also taken in March, 2001, at Bolivar Flats with the same equipment.

Below will be a series of three shots taken at the Texas City Dike, Galveston Co., Texas, in February, 2005. The shots show an American White Pelican asleep on a piling, standing alert, and then finally in a big yawn during which the bird's pouch was turned inside out! These were shot with a Canon EOS 1 Mark II and EF 600mm F/4 L IS lens and 1.4X extender.

The shot below shows American White Pelicans in flight over Lake Tohopekaliga, Kissimmee, Osceola Co., Florida
in February 2007. The shot was taken with a Canon EOS 1D Mark II and EF 500mm F/4 L IS lens.