An unusual sight at Big Traverse on the shores of Lake Superior. Barbara Bouwkamp said when she first spotted this pod of American White Pelicans, she thought it was a log or maybe a long boat, but looking closer she realized it was birds. But not just any birds, it was a flock of American White Pelicans, one of the largest North American birds. From what I found, they can be found on bodies of freshwater, such as Lake Superior, in southern Canada and central, western and southern part of the U.S., Mexico and Central America. This pod was most likely migrating to where they’ll spend the summer months.

An interesting fact about the American White Pelican is that they do not dive to catch their prey, like a Brown Pelican, but instead, they hunt from the water’s surface, scooping up fish with their flexible bills. In Barbara’s photos, you can see a boat, also...she said as the boat came nearer, the Pelicans flew off.

What a great capture. Barbara was able to record a short video also, saying she wished she had a good camera with a telephoto lens, but her phone did a decent job.

How cool is that, and so many??
Love these!

I saw quite a few in Baraga through the years. Way
cool!!

What a beautiful set…a flock of white
birds floating on Superior Blue water.
If there’s a bird that relaxes me…
it’s a Pelican, can.
“Oh, yes, it can, can. I know it can, can
Yes, it can, can.”
(The Pointer Sisters, contrafactum)
This would make a good theme song
for a presidential candidate. The lyrics
are great. I was going to post them here,
but they’re to long. It’s just what this
Nation needs right now…look em up,
they’ll make you feel good.
“Guaranteed “

Here’s the beginning section of the lyrics.
“Now's the time for all good men
To get together with one another
We got to iron out our problems
And iron out our quarrels
And try to live as brothers

And try to find peace within
Without stepping on one another
And do respect the women of the world
Remember, you all had mothers”

Hi
It's always neat to see waterfowl out on the water.
The way my eyes are, waterfowl are easier to see
because 1)they are big and 2)they aren't flitting in
& out of leaves. Of course, diving ducks can
submerge suddenly and come up in another location.

Alex, all we can do as individuals is give respect
to each other. And to remember Kepler's Fourth Law:
"The world doesn't revolve around you, you know."
That can nip a temper tantrum in the bud.