How to See Pelicans in Yellowstone National Park
- 1). Look at the road map when you arrive in Yellowstone and notice the big lake in the middle of the park--Yellowstone Lake. During your trip, you will likely drive past it at some point. As you drive from West Thumb toward Fishing Bridge, or from Fishing Bridge toward the east entrance, you will frequently have expansive views of Yellowstone Lake. Look for pelicans out on the water or along the shore.
- 2). Look specifically for large birds that, except for their bills, are entirely white. Look for the large orange bills with a pouch underneath. These are pelicans. You may see them swimming or resting along the beaches. If you see a small group of large birds flying in a strict formation, there is a good chance that those are pelicans.
- 3). Go to the Pelican Creek nature trail to get a closer look. It starts on the east entrance road not far from Fishing Bridge. The trail is short and entirely flat, and ends on a Yellowstone Lake beach. Here, Pelican Creek flows into the lake. It got that name because the pelicans like it there; you may see them on a sandbar that extends from the river mouth into the lake.
- 4). Go to the Yellowstone River, which flows out of Yellowstone Lake at Fishing Bridge. You may also see pelicans there. Try looking from Fishing Bridge itself as there is ample parking at either end of the bridge. Look up or downstream. You will see a number of different kinds of water birds, geese, ducks and gulls among them. Pelicans are as likely a sight there as anywhere.
- 5). Drive north from Fishing Bridge to Canyon Junction. In a number of places, you will have broad views of the Yellowstone River from the road. Look for pelicans whenever the river appears.
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