The radiation of young and hot stars shapes their surrounding molecular clouds and gas nebulae into the form of a Pelican. The whole complex is in about 1900 lightyears distance.
The left panel ( see also: http://www.pbase.com/gbachmayer/image/164326287/original) of above image shows the object in 'true' colors, as we would see it if our eyes would be sensitive enough.
The right panel ( see also: http://www.pbase.com/gbachmayer/image/164326288/original) is a composition of the spectral emission lines of excited hydrogen (green), sulfur (red) and oxygen (blue).