It's easy to tell this was taken during the breeding season (this past spring) as American White Pelicans develop what are called nuptial tubercles on the tops of their bills. Both males and females develop these tubercles and they fall off when mating season is over; these are unique to the American White Pelican.

The first Saturday in September (Sep 5th in 2020) is National Hummingbird Day, so happy day to all of our little feathered friends and to those who celebrate them! They are quite busy here in northern Illinois getting ready for their big trip south . . .

The Ruby-throated hummingbirds have become quite active in the last couple of weeks, and really enjoy watching them hover, dart from flower to flower, and of course chase each other with abandon.

An incoming squadron of American White Pelicans tightening up their formation and banking to the west.

A tree swallow captured in flight before it lands on a fiercely contested birdhouse this spring in McHenry County, Illinois.

Two American White Pelicans practice their synchronized flying on an early spring day.