The lasing of an Er: YLF laser has been theoretically and experimentally investigated at wavelengths 2.66, 2.71, and 2.81 mu m in the pulsed-periodic regime under selective pumping by laser-diode radiation at 0.98 mu m. A substantial variation of the delays of the beginning of lasing at the individual wavelengths is observed, depending on the pump-pulse-repetition rate, along with loss of the lasing at wavelengths 2.66 and 2.71 mu m as the pulse-repetition rate increases. (C) 2010 Optical Society of America.