Taking the Plunge.

NATURAL history; HUNTING techniques; WORLD War II; MATING grounds; BIRDS of prey

This article from Natural History discusses the hunting behavior of American white pelicans, a species that differs from their more well-known relatives, brown pelicans. Unlike brown pelicans, American white pelicans do not dive from the air into the ocean to catch fish. Instead, they hunt from the water's surface in inland lakes and marshes. Photographer Chuck Graham observed these pelicans using a coordinated hunting technique in southern California, where they formed a half circle to corral fish before plunging their beaks into the water. The article also provides information about the decline and recovery of the American white pelican population, as well as details about Chuck Graham's background and work. [Extracted from the article]