We didn't expect to see any of these guys until we got back to Florida next month!
But today's pictures were all taken earlier this week from right in front of our RV on the Lake at Fern Ridge Shores.
The very first thing I saw on Monday morning was this white pelican sailing serenely past our window on the Lake ... For a minute I wondered if I were dreaming that we'd already migrated south ourselves.
The next time we glanced out the window, the lone pelican had a partner ... it was double the pleasure.
People here have told us that they have seen a few pelicans off and on for several years. They must have liked it here....
... because they apparently told their friends about the Lake and this year a few more of them flew in.
And a few more .... and more .... and more. By Tuesday afternoon, there were too many to count. This is just one group -- we saw maybe four times this many. We've seen white pelicans in Texas and Louisiana on our travels and now we see them often in Florida -- but we've never seen this many in one place ever!
They are herding fish -- they swim in this circular pattern and then their heads go down for the catch.
We think that probably most of them are migrating and have found a nice stopover place. Right now, this is a good place for them to stock up on little fish and frogs that haven't found their way out of our rapidly disappearing Lake.
Maybe a few will stay all winter in what remains of the Lake or in nearby ponds.
(We don't plan be here to find out though -- we'll be checking out their Florida cousins!)
(Stumps are sticking up out of the shallowing water -- where, in the summer, the Lake was deep enough for ski boats!)
Sharing these two surprising mornings on the Lake with SATURDAY CRITTERS, I'D RATHER BE BIRDING, NATURE NOTES, and MOSAIC MONDAY.
Thank you to Eileen (SC); Ani (The Bird D'pot); Michelle (NN), and Judith (MM). You are all appreciated!!!
What a great thing to see! I've never seem then "round up" fish like that either. Or maybe I did, but didn't even notice it.
Nice photos!
Posted by: Pat | November 12, 2014 at 04:31 PM
That's a lot of pelicans! Loving that bird--they are so interesting to see.
Posted by: bettyl - NZ | November 11, 2014 at 11:44 PM
Oh I didn't know that pelicans did that. Neat!
Posted by: Ramblingwoods | November 10, 2014 at 06:22 PM
They are such beautiful birds. I love your photos of them. We just started seeing them return to LSU Lakes in Baton Rouge. When they synchronize to fish it's a beautiful thing!
Posted by: Gail Dixon | November 10, 2014 at 12:45 PM
This is just an amazing sight! And your photos are excellent. I really do have a "thing" for pelicans. Our California Brown Pelican was endangered for many years and we didn't see nearly enough of them. They're beginning to make their way back and I jsut love watching and observing, especially when they nose-dive, plunging into the ocean at such a huge rate of speed and come up with a fish! I have never seen so many pelicans in one spot and this was a real treat!
Posted by: Debra | November 10, 2014 at 11:29 AM
I would not mind having a few of them where I live :)
Posted by: NatureFootstep | November 10, 2014 at 01:51 AM
How amazing and what great photos. This must have been quite a thrill to see so many! We saw an unusual sighting that I'm going to post about Thursday. I hope you stop by and give me your opinion! Enjoy your evening my friend! Hugs!
Posted by: Lavender Dreams | November 09, 2014 at 06:12 PM
Great shots. So many pelicans all in one place.
Posted by: Rajesh | November 09, 2014 at 06:00 PM
Teamwork obviously pays off for a good meal. I've never seen that many pelicans at once either.
Thank you for linking to Mosaic Monday.
Posted by: Judith @ Lavender Cottage | November 09, 2014 at 05:26 PM
Great observations and beautiful photos.
Posted by: Christian | November 09, 2014 at 10:59 AM
I never know where you will take us. These are lovely. Forests of signs, indeed!
Posted by: Jenn Jilks | November 09, 2014 at 07:31 AM
They must've liked it there really seeing the whole flock of them. Pleasant surprises come in many forms.
Posted by: Mari | November 09, 2014 at 06:47 AM
Lovely photos, how amazing to see so many together and to watch them hunting the fish
Posted by: craftygreenpoet | November 09, 2014 at 05:30 AM
Your thoughts mean a lot, Sallie, and your observations belie that you are sleep deprived. Sometimes the comment option is closed but only if pictures are posted without any commentary of my own. I do have fun with the titles though.
I wonder if there was a single fish left!! It would be amazing to see all these pelicans (even one) in my neck of the woods. Now Canada Geese … that is another matter. :)
Posted by: Penelope Puddlisms | November 09, 2014 at 04:49 AM
Wow- that is awesome!
Posted by: Coloring Outside the Lines | November 09, 2014 at 03:33 AM
Oh Wow, that is really neat. I hope we get some passing through here!
Posted by: Mary Howell Cromer | November 09, 2014 at 03:13 AM
Out your window was a bit of heaven on earth! Extraordinary!!!
Thanks for sharing the link with us bird enthusiasts this weekend! Much appreciated.
Posted by: Anni @ I'd Rather B Birdin' | November 09, 2014 at 03:03 AM
Wow what a special treat to see all these magnificent birds in one spot. Isn't nature incredible. We see this with geese moving south on our lakes...thousands...the sound deafening and the sights fabulous.
Posted by: Donna@Gardens Eye View | November 09, 2014 at 01:42 AM
Wow --so many pelicans! They look beautiful grouped all over the lake.
I hope you do get a chance to see the Chihuly exhibit at the DBG before it ends November 30, Sallie. It is wonderful to see!
Posted by: Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti | November 08, 2014 at 08:31 PM
We have lots more pelicans here in Tulsa than we did just a few years ago. They congregate just downstream of a low water dam where I am thinking the fishing is really good. They are staying later in the year also. I was out there today and there are still around.
Posted by: Yogi | November 08, 2014 at 07:58 PM
I thought maybe migrating ones.
I bet they stopped just for you. :)
I just read Stewart's comment - too funny.
Posted by: Carletta | November 08, 2014 at 04:14 PM
Very interesting post! What fun to get so see so many at once!
Posted by: Marie-AZ | November 08, 2014 at 01:41 PM
Wow! What a sight! To see so many pelicans in one place is really wonderful. Must be good fishing territory for them.
Posted by: Pat | November 08, 2014 at 01:06 PM
WOW! Beautiful! I just saw our first skein of Geese this morning. Winter is coming!
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com/?s=The+Adventures+of+Fuzzy+and+Boomer&submit=Search
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
Posted by: Linda | November 08, 2014 at 12:25 PM
A pelican parking lot I think.
Posted by: Dianne | November 08, 2014 at 09:18 AM
Wow, such a special experience to watch the numbers grow. Nice to know they found this stopover place, as it seems so did you.
Love what you did with those first two shots.
Posted by: Gaelyn | November 08, 2014 at 08:54 AM
What a beautiful flock of pelicans!
Funny you should see them all in Oregon. Maybe they knew they had some fans in the area?
~
Posted by: ifthethunderdontgetya™³²®© | November 08, 2014 at 08:48 AM
Gorgeous nature - critter photography ~ You seem to be having a wonderful time! So glad ~
Happy Weekend to you,
artmusedog and carol (A Creative Harbor)
Posted by: artmusedog and carol | November 08, 2014 at 06:17 AM
What a lovely bonus to see them there and so many! Thanks also for your recent comments as always much appreciated.
Posted by: lindyloumacinitaly | November 08, 2014 at 06:16 AM
How wonderful to see so many of them. Nice shots.
Posted by: Gunilla | November 08, 2014 at 06:10 AM
They sure seem to enjoy each other's company!
Posted by: EG CameraGirl | November 08, 2014 at 04:31 AM
Hello Sallie, The White Pelicans are another one of my favorite birds. My first sighting of them was on a river in the Tetons.. It is neat to see the large groups and them herding the fish.. Great post, thank you for linking up! Have a happy weekend!
Posted by: Eileen | November 08, 2014 at 01:28 AM
I do like Pelicans!
And as my son said today (and I'm not making this up!)
'Why don't pelicans use credit cards?
They end up with big bills!"
I don't know what I've done to deserve this!
Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne
Posted by: Stewart M | November 08, 2014 at 12:54 AM
WOW! So many Pelicans on this lake. Amazing to see them fishing together. Have a great weekend.
Posted by: Margaret Birding For Pleasure | November 07, 2014 at 11:18 PM
What a beautiful sight! Safe travels on your upcoming trip southward:)
Blessings, Aimee
Posted by: Aimee | November 07, 2014 at 10:45 PM
wow lots of them.
Posted by: Felicia | November 07, 2014 at 08:47 PM
Oh no, they share the information in their version of facebook.
Posted by: Rainfield | November 07, 2014 at 06:24 PM
The fish and frogs are easy pickings for them with the water so low - and a visual treat for you, Sallie. I'm so glad you posted these great photos. That is interesting how they herd the fish. Great post.
Posted by: Penny | November 07, 2014 at 06:16 PM
What lovely birds - I've never seen so many in one place!
Posted by: Al | November 07, 2014 at 06:04 PM
The White Pelicans are beautiful. I have seen Australian Pelicans herding fish like that on the bay where I often kayak. It is an interesting sight and just shows how smart the birds are to work together like that.
Great photos.
Posted by: Mick | November 07, 2014 at 04:03 PM
The pelicans are such fun to watch. Great shots.
Posted by: Carver | November 07, 2014 at 02:23 PM
what a great flotilla! nice!
Posted by: TexWisGirl | November 07, 2014 at 12:04 PM
Wow, so many of them. We've just a few here so far. Cool to see the big group of them.
Posted by: Dina Johnston | November 07, 2014 at 11:50 AM
Stunning to see! What a beautiful early morning view!
Posted by: Hazel | November 07, 2014 at 10:46 AM