Dare I drive two hours to see what birds are at Goose Pond FWA in central Indiana. Why, of course. The sky was blue, the sun was shining only occasionally abscurred by fluffy white clouds. Beautiful American White Pelicans were busily cohabitating in one of the many marshlands in Beehunter's Marsh in Goose Pond FWA just south of a tiny town called Linton in central Indiana. They allowed me to only get so close and then they would move away.
Numbering in the hundreds, the pelicans were busily refueling, as they took a much needed break, having traveled far from points in the southern United States. A migration only partially complete. Soon these pelicans will depart, as have many of their counterparts already, to points north, where they will nest and breed.
There was one small flock of pelicans in the southern most marsh at Beehunter's that I was sure were the only ones left. But before departing Goose Pond, I checked one last marsh in northern Beehunter's and there they were. Huddled in large groups and small, hundreds of American White Pelicans. So glad I persevered. To watch these huge birds with their large knotty bills and bright yellow (although I think they are more orange than yellow) gullets and their large black tipped wings was amazing. Amazing. And a Life List Bird for me as well. Yippee.
My various Goose Pond encounters included Whooping Cranes, which I wasn't expecting at all, Sandhill Cranes, Northern Shovelers, American Coots, Tundra Swans and Canadian Geese, of course. But the highlight for me was the American White Pelicans. And they are actually why I made the long drive. So gorgeous. ENJOY!
Postscript: Did I mention I can foretell the future. I see a new Nikon camera body in my future. OK. I dropped my Nikon last night with my 300 lens on it and jammed the shutter release. I'll have it repaired, of course, as it still has lots of life left in it. The lens is OK, I think. But in anticipation of taking a trip later this year, I have decided a second camera body is necessary. Did I mention that I am well known, and I do mean, well known, for being clumsy. I am. I have a long, long history dating back to all of the plates I broke as a young girl while drying the dishes in the evening after dinner. There my clumsiness was first evidenced and well, it still prevails.
Numbering in the hundreds, the pelicans were busily refueling, as they took a much needed break, having traveled far from points in the southern United States. A migration only partially complete. Soon these pelicans will depart, as have many of their counterparts already, to points north, where they will nest and breed.
There was one small flock of pelicans in the southern most marsh at Beehunter's that I was sure were the only ones left. But before departing Goose Pond, I checked one last marsh in northern Beehunter's and there they were. Huddled in large groups and small, hundreds of American White Pelicans. So glad I persevered. To watch these huge birds with their large knotty bills and bright yellow (although I think they are more orange than yellow) gullets and their large black tipped wings was amazing. Amazing. And a Life List Bird for me as well. Yippee.
My various Goose Pond encounters included Whooping Cranes, which I wasn't expecting at all, Sandhill Cranes, Northern Shovelers, American Coots, Tundra Swans and Canadian Geese, of course. But the highlight for me was the American White Pelicans. And they are actually why I made the long drive. So gorgeous. ENJOY!
Postscript: Did I mention I can foretell the future. I see a new Nikon camera body in my future. OK. I dropped my Nikon last night with my 300 lens on it and jammed the shutter release. I'll have it repaired, of course, as it still has lots of life left in it. The lens is OK, I think. But in anticipation of taking a trip later this year, I have decided a second camera body is necessary. Did I mention that I am well known, and I do mean, well known, for being clumsy. I am. I have a long, long history dating back to all of the plates I broke as a young girl while drying the dishes in the evening after dinner. There my clumsiness was first evidenced and well, it still prevails.
lovely photos, and interesting the 'knotty' bills; new to me
ReplyDeleteI know I said I wouldn't be up to doing any comments, but cannot resist, a NEW Nikon body, what bliss, I hope you get the very one you want the very most. OK here, Hugh had a MRI at 2.30 today Tuesday, results on Wednesday a.m. And so many thanks for your lovely such caring words, hugely uplifting to me right now. Cheers, jean.
ReplyDeleteThese are splendid birds and well photographed too. I wish we had pelicans over here!
ReplyDeleteI think Pelicans look as though they shouldn't be able to take flight! Your action shot is amazing. Oh, no - I hope they can repair your camera, but yippee to a new one!
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