What Kind Of Big Bird Is This?

[wolverinesr1]

i took this at our local state park yesterday. i havent seen one like this in our area before.i was thinking at the time i was shooting it.it might be some type of heron.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v210/wolverinesr1/Forum%20Pics/CRW_5655-01.jpg

[ngannet]

White Pelican. Great shot too, I don't have any shots of them.

[wolverinesr1]

thanks for the id and the nice comment, i didnt think we had any pelicans in michigan. i guess i have to get out more.

[ngannet]

Wow...Michigan!!! We barely see them in NJ. There are no records of it being in your area (closest is WI and IL) in the Peterson's Field Guide. But it's possible. I've heard of them in Canada. And the wild weather down south could drive birds up north too. I'll be on the lookout for some good birds. Nevertheless, that was a lucky sighting and even better that you captured it!!! Over the past several weeks I've been going to a wildlife refuge where White Pelican has been reported, yet I've never seen it yet, even when it was reported the same day. How could I miss such a huge bird!!??

[wolverinesr1]

after you ID'ed the bird.i googled it and found a website that listed states in which they are usually seen,but not michigan.now i feel really lucky getting the shot. now i dont feel so bad for not know what kind of bird it was.like i said before i have never seen anything like it before. thanks again

[Airedale1]

Very nice capture. You should report that sighting to your local chapter of the Audubon Society.

[wolverinesr1]

thanks Airedale, i never thought of that. i will have to see if i can find their number

[digitaltourist]

Wow...Michigan!!! We barely see them in NJ. There are no records of it being in your area (closest is WI and IL) in the Peterson's Field Guide. But it's possible. I've heard of them in Canada. And the wild weather down south could drive birds up north too. I'll be on the lookout for some good birds. Nevertheless, that was a lucky sighting and even better that you captured it!!! Over the past several weeks I've been going to a wildlife refuge where White Pelican has been reported, yet I've never seen it yet, even when it was reported the same day. How could I miss such a huge bird!!??

Interesting, we have White Pelican here in MN. Over the past couple of weeks they have been flying into a small tributary near a lake in Buffalo, MN. I have been down there twice to get pictures (they are such a cool bird) and have managed a few. My brother, who "discovered" the flock has many more.

[Mitcon]

Nice shot, Sounds like a lucky capture also well done. Always interesting to hear about birds out of their normal locals.

[wolverinesr1]

thanks Mitcon,i will have do some checking with the local bird clubs and see if they have ever been seen here before.it might be a rare shot for these parts