Recently, we took a field trip to one of our favorite Wildlife Management Areas in South Carolina in search of the American White Pelican. On previous visits to Bear Island we had seen the White Pelican but never been able to get close enough for a photograph. So, with high hopes but low expectations we entered the WMA gate early on a warm March morning. As we drove the dikes we spotted the Pelicans. To our surprise they were in the same rice pond where we captured the Rosetta Spoonbills last Fall. We carefully parked and hiked the dikes to get closer to the pelicans. Fortunately, we were able to get close enough for some shots before they flew or the black flies ate us up! We are excited to print the photograph above on satin and add it to the store soon!

Some fun facts about the American White Pelican:

The American white pelican migrates annually, apart from several resident populations along the Gulf of Mexico and in Mexico. Juveniles migrate in their first year to the winter range and do not start annual migrations before they have reached 2 years old. These pelicans do not dive, but are strong swimmers, having subcutaneous air sacs in their breast that afford them buoyancy. Being gregarious, these birds are always found in groups when roosting, nesting, or foraging. Nesting colonies are very big and densely populated, often with around 1,000 nests. They breed in interior North America, moving south and to the coasts, as far as Central America and South America, in winter. White pelicans have a wingspan of 9 feet, making them one of the largest birds in North America. They are graceful in the air, often flying in a formation.

Last year, same rice pond at Bear Island, Rosetta Spoonbills :

This year at Magnolia Gardens in the Audubon Swamp Garden we found a nesting pair of Great Blue Herons - doing the “stick-dance”. This one is also currently being printed on satin fabric and we are excited to see the first printing soon!

We are gearing up for our first show since the pandemic began. We have soooo missed seeing ya’ll! Our planned shows are : Vintage Market Days - Ladson, SC April 16-18 Honey Horn - Hilton Head, SC April 24,25 Vintage Market Days - Greenville, SC May 21-23 Please visit us in person or on our web-site store for your home or office art needs. We would love to work with you!