"Stained Glass" Pelicans: CREATIVE Wildlife Photography JUMPSTART

American White Pelicans stage on the St. Louis River of Fond du Lac, Duluth MInnesota every spring from late April through mid May. Their antics are entertaining! They glide on 9-foot wingspans (second widest in North America!) over the hilly landscape and perform surprisingly graceful "waterski" landings. My favorite is their bill stretching exercises...and I have several clips of this. One catches a fish that is nearly too big to swallow.
Need a creative jumpstart to your wildlife photography? In this video I try and backlight the pelicans pouch and create a "stained glass" effect. I also share other backlighting wildlife photography tips.

[@almeadows8277]

Some members of the ornithological community believe that the fleshy protuberances on their bills are actually spectacle holders. I don’t know whether to believe that or not. Regardless, they are magnificent birds to observe and photograph. Well done, Sparky.

[@SparkyStensaas]

Ha!! And I thought I was going to get the real reason. Thanks Al!

[@ryanmarshik8971]

I see the drone is still air worthy. Another great episode👍

[@BobMacNeal]

Seeing those pelicans in flight, landing, fishing, preening was a treat. Cool drone shots too. Glad you got the backlit pouches. Good tip on backlighting for photographers. Thanks Sparky.

[@SparkyStensaas]

Thanks Bob! Always fun having a subject within about seven minutes of the house :-)

[@jeroenschoondergang5923]

Cool video again, cheers!

[@Robirda]

Had no idea they preened so much. This was fun to watch.

[@SparkyStensaas]

Thank you, yogapunk! They are serial preeners!

[@thomastuorto9929]

I like shooting almost anything backlit but some wildflowers/leafs/etc. & Egrets are some of my favorites. Haven’t had the pleasure of try to photograph pelicans as of yet. Great vid.

[@SparkyStensaas]

Thanks Thomas! That’s great! I think it often makes a far better and more interesting photo by backlighting.

[@ronboe6325]

Had no idea pelicans were that close to Duluth. I just viewed that stretch of water as excellent canoeing. :)

[@SparkyStensaas]

It’s only been in the last 12 or 13 years Ron. Never happened before. I’m not sure what changed but now they are like clockwork!

[@steveking6204]

Where do they go after Duluth?

[@shreecreativearts5132]

Nice video

[@SparkyStensaas]

Thanks Shree!

[@andrewlamberson539]

The protuberances on their bill are actually rudders to keep their bills straight under water! 😅

[@andrewlamberson539]

😅

[@SparkyStensaas]

Is that a theory? Sounds like a reasonable idea with the bill that big.

[@andrewlamberson539]

@@SparkyStensaas No…just total BS ! But it sounds reasonable!

[@randallmarsh1187]

If they were on the Brown Pelicans that would make more sense as they dive to catch their fish while the Whites just scoop them up.

[@Scottye-yn8zc]

Sparky are you going to order the Canon RF 200-800mm for your R5?

[@SparkyStensaas]

Hi Scott, I didn’t even know about that lens. I’m happy with the 100 to 500 and so will stick with that. Kind of a one camera one lens guy.… Plus the iPhone for wide angle :-)