Every Miles A Memory
Expedition Leader
While we've been living here in Cedar Key Florida this winter, I've seen the White Pelicans that use these rich waters to migrate through all winter long.
The White Pelicans are unlike the brown pelicans most of us are familiar with. The Browns are almost considered a nuisance to fisherman since they hound the boats and docks like giant rats with wings. They're somewhat aggressive if you have food and are almost tame when it comes to their relationship and interaction with us humans.
White Pelicans have never gotten that used to us and keep their distance from people. I see them daily, but they stay hundreds of yards off shore in the marshes surrounding our motel fishing and following the schools of fish.
That was till today. I was working out back when I noticed a white cloud moving across the water in my direction. I'm not lying when I say I rubbed my eyes a few times to try and figure out what it was coming at me.
When I figured out it was a flock of monumental proportions coming closer and closer behind the motel, I sprinted towards our house to grab my camera. The entire way towards the office I was yelling to guests who were in the process of checking out that the white pelicans were out back.
Since most of them probably didnt realize seeing the white ones up close is a rarity, most of them just waved me off and finished checking out without even going around back to see the specitcal. I'm sure they thought I was a tad weird, but Oh Well...LOL
Those who did come around were in for a real treat. With the morning sun bathing them in perfect light, it was a photographers dream and we had them wading right off the dock for almost a half hour.
It was amazing to see a flock this size literally gorging themselves on the schools of fish. I'm talking hundreds of hundreds of birds (Probably close to a thousand and I'm not lying or exagerating one bit!)
By the time they started to fly off. Our back dock was filled with people, most who were just passing by and stopped to see the show. What an amazing morning and I'm only hoping I get a few more chances like these before they leave for the North and their summer migration.
The White Pelicans are unlike the brown pelicans most of us are familiar with. The Browns are almost considered a nuisance to fisherman since they hound the boats and docks like giant rats with wings. They're somewhat aggressive if you have food and are almost tame when it comes to their relationship and interaction with us humans.
White Pelicans have never gotten that used to us and keep their distance from people. I see them daily, but they stay hundreds of yards off shore in the marshes surrounding our motel fishing and following the schools of fish.
That was till today. I was working out back when I noticed a white cloud moving across the water in my direction. I'm not lying when I say I rubbed my eyes a few times to try and figure out what it was coming at me.
When I figured out it was a flock of monumental proportions coming closer and closer behind the motel, I sprinted towards our house to grab my camera. The entire way towards the office I was yelling to guests who were in the process of checking out that the white pelicans were out back.
Since most of them probably didnt realize seeing the white ones up close is a rarity, most of them just waved me off and finished checking out without even going around back to see the specitcal. I'm sure they thought I was a tad weird, but Oh Well...LOL
Those who did come around were in for a real treat. With the morning sun bathing them in perfect light, it was a photographers dream and we had them wading right off the dock for almost a half hour.
It was amazing to see a flock this size literally gorging themselves on the schools of fish. I'm talking hundreds of hundreds of birds (Probably close to a thousand and I'm not lying or exagerating one bit!)
By the time they started to fly off. Our back dock was filled with people, most who were just passing by and stopped to see the show. What an amazing morning and I'm only hoping I get a few more chances like these before they leave for the North and their summer migration.
