WHITE PELICANS
When the American White Pelican returns to our neck of the woods, I know that we’re due for some balmy, sometimes cool, weather. What a lovely interlude to the unnerving watch for hurricanes and the crushing, humid heat of summer. These northern creatures come here to grace our vistas during our second season – winter.
I saw these beautiful birds for the first time a year ago and I was enchanted. They seem so calm and contained. Though huge by comparison, even the tiny birds welcome them.
What fascinating creatures. The males, apparently, grow a nub on their beak during mating season to protect themselves. Unlike their cousin, the brown pelican, they don’t dive for food - they do a dip.
These gentle creatures are missed when they go through migration, just like any population mourn their people when they have to emigrate. Let’s all be gentle too, and open up our minds to those in need of respite.