This captivating photograph was awarded the prestigious title of Wildlife Photographer of the Year.

With a strikingly human-like gaze and a pose that exudes elegance, this portrait remains a captivating enigma. It’s hard to imagine that this subject is a Dalmatian pelican, given the intricate details and the feathered adornments that obscure its face. The silvery white undulating feathers on its forehead and the vibrant plumes atop its head are distinctive features unique to this species.

Taken at the break of dawn on an island within Romania’s Danube Delta, the pelican is captured in a moment of rest, its head turned 180 degrees and its beak tucked beneath its feathery cloak. Dalmatian pelicans are notoriously shy and ever-vigilant, making it a challenging endeavor for the photographer who had to venture into their domain before daybreak, patiently awaiting the arrival of dawn.