Capturing the Majestic Beauty of the Dalmatian Pelicans of Greece

With its striking white plumage & humped back to its majestic pink-orange bill, Dalmatian Pelicans are found across most of Eastern Europe, including the beautiful shores of Lake Kerkini in Greece. For bird photographers, capturing the majestic beauty of the Dalmatian Pelicans of Greece can be a challenge as it can be difficult to catch, but with the right knowledge & equipment, it can be an extremely rewarding experience.







On the shores of Lake Kerkini, one can experience first-hand the extreme beauty & grace of the Dalmatian Pelican. Often images captured at this location are like a portrait of a dream, with the colours of the landscape contrasting with the light & dark tones of the pelicans in the foreground.







A picturesque background with water or mountains will help to highlight the birds in the photo. Also, considering the position of the sun so that the light is not too bright or too dark can improve the quality of the photos. Finally, it is important to be patient & take your time to get the perfect shot, as you may have to wait a while for the bird to strike the right pose.

The Fascinating History of the Dalmatian Pelicans of Greece

The Dalmatian Pelican is a majestic bird species that has captured people’s imagination for centuries. Native to the wetlands & inland lakes of south-eastern Europe & Asia, the Dalmatian Pelican has long been revered for its exotic beauty. Today’s scientific understanding of this bird species is based on centuries of observations by astonished observers.







In ancient Greece, the Dalmatian Pelican was believed to have the head of an eagle & the body of a swan. Aristotle wrote extensively about this species in his influential work on zoology, Historia Animalium. It was not until the 19th century that scientists began to understand the true nature of the Dalmatian Pelican & recognised the species as a distinct bird species.







The Dalmatian Pelican is one of the largest bird species in the world, with a wingspan of up to 11 feet. This impressive size has earned the bird a special place in the mythology of many cultures throughout history. In mediaeval Europe, the bird was often associated with strength & courage, & was even said to have the power to ward off evil spirits.



At the beginning of the 20th century, the population of the Dalmatian Pelican declined significantly, mainly due to hunting & land reclamation. Since then, conservation organisations such as the Ramsar Convention & the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) have been working to protect this species & its habitats.



Today, the population of this photogenic bird is recovering & it can often be seen in wetlands, large rivers & shallow lakes throughout south-eastern Europe & parts of Asia.

Photographing the Dalmatian Pelicans of Greece

The Dalmatian Pelican is known for its majestic beauty & impressive wingspan, making it an ideal photo subject. Due to its size & exceptional plumage, it is one of the most sought-after bird species to capture on camera.







To capture the true beauty of the Dalmatian Pelican, photographers should equip themselves with the right equipment & have an idea of the type of images that they hope to capture.



Start by choosing a high-quality DSLR or Mirrorless camera with a suitable lens. What defines a suitable lens? Long lenses are ideal for capturing images from the shoreline; a shorter zoom lens, in the range of 70-200mm is ideal for photography sessions on the boats.



The best time to photograph these birds is at sunrise or sunset when the sunlight creates beautiful golden or pink hues that will make your images stand out.







When photographing a Dalmatian Pelican, look for interesting angles & compositions. Look for moments that will make your photo memorable, such as shots of birds in flight or spreading their wings. Also, pay attention to the background & try to have a clear sky or picturesque landscape behind the bird to better show off its features.







Choose a fast shutter speed, such as 1/1000 second or faster, to freeze the movement of the bird. If you want to show some motion blur, choose a slower shutter speed such as 1/500 second or slower. A high ISO setting of 800 or higher is also recommended to get a good exposure without increasing the shutter speed. Finally, when appropriate, equip your camera with a wide-angle lens to capture the bird in its natural environment.



If you follow these tips, you will be well on your way to capturing the beauty of the Dalmatian Pelican photographically.



With the right equipment & settings, you can capture stunning images of this majestic bird.

Which Tours Does NaturesLens Schedule for Photographing the Dalmatian Pelicans of Greece?

NaturesLens offers a selection of Dalmatian Pelican photography trips that allow photographers of all levels to add images of the magnificent pelicans of Lake Kerkini to their portfolio. These trips generally take place in January when the wildlife of Lake Kerkini is at its most active.



Our photography trips allow photographers to capture stunning images of the Dalmatian Pelican & many other species at Lake Kerkini. During our trips, photographers also have the opportunity to photograph a range of other wildlife, including flamingos & cormorants.



At NaturesLens, we aim to provide photographers with an unforgettable experience where they can capture beautiful, memorable images. Our trips are led by experienced wildlife photographers whose passion is wildlife photography & who are dedicated to helping photographers capture the best possible images.