A wonderful bird is the pelican,
His bill will hold more than his belican,
He can take in his beak
Enough food for a week
But I’m damned if I see how the helican!

Dixon Lanier Merritt -1910

Pelicans are in at Riverlands,as flood waters over run the causeway at the dam. On Saturday there were a gazillion (scientific measurement 🙂 ). John Watson was about to call us when we pulled up. Text Messages were sent and many other Camera Club photographers arrived.

Sunday the water was higher and the pelicans while still in good numbers were fewer than Saturday. Sunday morning was a cold affair with temperatures not much above freezing with a good East wind to boot. Sunday afternoon, was warmer in more than one way. Long story that will wait.

This morning, even fewer. There will be birds close to the ramp as long as the water is high but the higher the water,the harder it will be for the birds to fish and they will go where the food is.

A few for your ‘viewing pleasure’   🙂

Rain and cloudy days have been the rule lately. Snuck in a few images between downpours today. Exposure Compensation at +2 most of the morning. Gave up around 10:30 or so and went to El Mel ,our favorite place for bird seed and other bird goodies.

If y’all need any bird stuff or lawn and garden supplies etc– go see Mr. John and he will take care of ya.

Here are the images……..

At least my friends have been sending wonderful images of eagles,peregrines and other critters. 🙂

Well, I have been retired for a week now. Feels a little strange but it has been a great week. Spent most of it at Columbia Bottoms photographing or running to Cabela’s looking for .22 long rifle ammunition. There were times I just laid the camera down and just watched and enjoyed the natural world go about its business.

Water draining rapidly at Columbia Bottom and any birds related to water or mud will soon find slim pickings there. Thanks to Kathy O’Donnell and John Watson for the information where the American Pelicans have been hanging out on the Illinois side below the Chain of Rocks Bridge. The area usually is packed on weekends but today it was just me and a couple of fishermen………and the pelicans of course.

Here are a few images