Behavioral Photos: Pelicans cooperative fishing

[terrib]

These are documentary photos taken over about a 7 minute span showing the group fishing behavior of American White Pelicans. I've seen squadrons of Brown Pelicans dive fishing in the Gulf and I've watched many American White Pelican individuals fish with others hanging around to steal but before this I'd never witnessed this cooperative fishing behavior. I've since read that they will do this to herd schools of small fish into areas where they can be caught. I believe that is what they started out to do but the party was crashed by a much larger prize.

All photos were shot with Canon 7D and Tamron 150-600 lens, Aperature Priority, F7.1, ISO800. I was on a point of land and they were moving quickly so I was handholding for more flexibility.

C&C is welcome and appreciated. I'm fairly pleased with exposure & color. The 800 ISO is manageable with the 7D and ensured a fast enough shutter, although it could have been lowered in the last few as 1/4000 was not necessary. The environment has a lot going on but I think I moved my position and/or timed the shots fairly well for when the subject was in the clear. My main self-criticism is that I'm still not using full advantage of my zoom as I've got some shorter focal length shots that I ended up cropping for composition.

#1 & #2 Synchronized swimming and dipping, moving toward shore
173mm & 1/3200; 158mm & 1/2500, both cropped slightly





#3 Surrounding their prey. I actually had looked away to snap a pelican in flight when I realized the group had changed tactics. At this point I'm not sure what they had surrounded. 226mm, 1/3200 slightly cropped



#4 & #5 Suddenly it is every pelican for himself as one came up with a huge fish. He swam around with others following, unable to swallow but unwilling to let it go. 226mm & 483mm, 1/4000 cropped





#6 & #7 Nobody gets the prize. 600mm, 1/5000 (fairly big crop on #6)

[Shadowman]

Nice series and explanation of behavior.

[bnnrcn]

Very nice series, I like the light

[Mike Buckley]

Really fascinating, Terri! However, I'm more inclined to think the first three photos show the group practicing their synchronized swimming routine in preparation for an upcoming competition.

[AlwaysOnAuto]

A case of biting off more than they could chew.
Nice series.

[JohnRostron]

Very nice series. That's the problem with these co-operative behaviours. If everyone is getting some it works fine, but if one gets a whopper, then it's a free-for-all!

John

[IzzieK]

How beautiful Terri...I really love pelicans...I like your sequencing here too.

[Dave Humphries]

A nicely observed, photographed and described series Terri,

Seems cooperative fishing does not lead to communal dining, nor even solitary satisfaction, oh dear.

Still, I suspect s/he had a story of "you shoulda seen the size of the one that got away" to tell their family though.

[Bobobird]

Excellent series of shots. Don't worry to much about the environment. Sometimes it is needed to tell the story properly. Not everything needs a mushy background.

I am sure you are not going to let this opportunity pass and will be doing more of them. If so, try going really low if possible.

[Mike Buckley]

If so, try going really low if possible.

Yes, underwater.

[terrib]

Thanks to everyone who took the time to comment.

Bobo, I would love to get back to them but the Wildlife refuge has been and is still closed due to flooding. I can't get anywhere near there, even if they are still there. Although the flooding would solve the issue of me not being able to get down on their level. At the time, there really was no way for me to get down to the water.

Mike, you are exactly right about the synchronized swimming routine. It was amazing to watch them go under and come up in unison all the while moving toward the shore. But, no, I won't be trying to join the team.

[ied]

Nice series and very informative. Interesting behaviour.

Irene