White pelicans are tolerant of human presence when it is at a distance. Once they start breeding and nesting they are very shy and will even abandon a nest if disturbed. The semicircular disc on the bill indicates the individual is ready to breed.
This little grey bird will grow up to be a stunning reddish egret. The reddish egret is the least studied of all egrets. It was nearly wiped out by the feather trade. Although quite obvious in Florida, it is not easily seen elsewhere. There might be only 7000 adults in existence.
I find the way pelicans and cormorants hold onto edges or branches fascinating. They can actually hold on by curling their feet around the edge. The cormorant has a long middle toe, but the webbing makes the grasp look so odd. The brown pelican is a symbol of conservation success, nearly wiped out by DDT they have, happily, made a comeback.
