Grand Flight at Clearwater Beach

I spent an unforgettable week at Clearwater Beach, dedicated to capturing the essence of Brown Pelicans from sunrise to sunset. Standing neck-deep in the water, I balanced my camera equipped with a 100-400 mm lens to get as close and low as possible to these magnificent creatures. Despite the occasional wave splashing over my camera, my focus never wavered. I meticulously monitored the light sources and wind direction to ensure the best possible lighting and angles for my shots. This particular image stands out: I captured the pelican with its wings fully extended, perfectly filling the frame. Just a fraction of a second later, the bird came too close, and the tips of its wings were cut off in the frame. Brown Pelicans are some of my favorite subjects, and I hope you find as much joy in viewing this photo as I did in capturing it.