This photographer’s photos are literally un-BILL-ievable, since he captures the precise moments when pelicans go for their fish.
In Magdalena Bay, Mexico, Simone Caprodossi shot more than 1,000 frames to get the unique collection.
They show the birds underneath the water in crisp detail, with bubbles all around as they strike for their lunch.
The concept came to Simone, a 43-year-old Dubai-based photographer, while he was returning from an expedition with a friend to study offshore sharks.
He noticed how pelicans congregated around fishing boats, looking for food, and he and his pal tossed their remaining tiny fish into the maw of a baited shark – only to be swamped by the pelicans themselves.
Positioning his camera off the side of the boat, Simone threw in the occasional fish, moderating the crazy action, doing so over two days.
The photograph revealed that 10 to 15 of the images were usable between hundreds of photos frenzied amid bubbles and flailing limbs.
Simone has seen his photographs – particularly one shot – praised by several photography organizations, including Underwater Photographer of the Year in 2017 and most recently at Festisub, in 2018, after shooting them in 2015.
“When I saw the photos, I knew we had a real chance for something unique, so we decided to cancel whale watching the next day and go back to the pelicans instead with brighter morning light.”
“This time, we had more expertise, positioned the boat to have the best light, and were able to capture several photographs that I’m pleased with.”
The pelican in action, catching fish, was the most popular image.
I was ecstatic to get at least one photograph of a pelican in full action with the pouch stretched out, which is something I’d never seen before.
