Oswego

September 4, 2000

Pelican

Graceful wings for sails
outspread, catching thermals
or going with the wind.
Flying over me
with magisterial ease —
and indifference.

This perfect summation
of feathery-boned flight,
flawless and supreme in its element,
ruler of its airy domain.
This great pelican
heads home, alone,
to Bird Key —
rookery and
safe haven.

Often I see these great birds in flight at Folly Beach, sometimes diving into the ocean just offshore to fish, but mostly coming back from other fishing grounds to the north. They are solitary sometimes, in pairs or small groups most often. Sometimes they fly in V-formation, but always they are supremely in poised in their flight. Effortlessly, it seems, those 7-foot wings move and undulate in the the air currents, keeping them aloft almost motionless when they want, and at other times sending them more quickly on their way. It is a marvelous sight to see and ponder.

And, while seemingly uncaring of human activity, they don’t go out of their way to avoid flying directly overhead, either. Sometimes I can look up and catch them briefly floating in the air 50 or 100 feet above me. They hug the coast, too, where their fish meals are, but I like to think they sort of like us odd human creatures, lying in the sand or in chairs on the beach, or pretending to be denizens of the sea as we flounder about in the water, out of our element, but enjoying it nevertheless.

The other afternoon while sitting in my chair by the ocean in my usual spot, I looked up to see the grandest sight in a while– a formation of 50 or so of those magnificent birds in a long, ragged V-formation, slowly making their way south to the rookery near Folly. What an awesome sight. Unlike the noisy geese flying south for the winter, these resident birds are silent. Nothing to announce their coming or going, and you will miss them if you don’t take the time to look up into the sky from time to time.

Bramble

September 5, 2000

We don’t have pelicans, so I enjoyed reading about the ones in your area. That is one of the chief joys of OD for me…finding out about other places and lives.

Simply beautiful..you’ve given me the pictures in my head to view and enjoy these incredible birds

Wow! Pelicans and 50!! I have seen pelicans in Greece. We do not have them here. Must have been an awsome sight. Sure!

havent seen any pelicans here either.do have lots of canadian geese tho!

Living in Oklahoma has it drawbacks sometimes! What a beautiful sight that must have been! One time I did look out my back window to see an entire tree in my back yard filled with cardinals. Love,

Willy & Wilma

Most unusual birds. Saw several gobbling up stuff left from cleanng fish (in Florida). One of those got so much in its beak that,try as it might to take off,it couldn’t get airborne.

Pelicans are among my favorites. There’s something graceful and unpretentious about them.

Bueatiful my friend!! I can just see them now!! thank you!! Blessed Be!!

All of life is beautiful in its own way, Oswego and thankfully, we have wonderous writers like you to celebrate and bring it to us. I love all birds! Love,

It’s always a pleasure to read your thoughtful, poetic entries, Oswego. I wish our Canada geese would fly south. They just love it here and refuse to travel further south, the way they used to do.

What a beautiful sight that must have been. Makes me want to grab a chair and find that beach. Just got caught up and left you a few notes.

Aaaaaa, I live so close to the coast and have not been once this year. I really need to go.

Gosh, I cannot recall even one memorable sighting of a pelican – ever! ( And I’m always looking ‘up’ 🙂 Partial to puffins, though I even enjoy the antics of gulls; especially so when they cannot get airborn to

smash open a giant clam. They love Cheetos ( honest) guess ’cause they can see them. Very tame in the northern waters ( or very snack hungry) 🙂 soothing, tranquil entry, again, dear man.*

Ah, it sounds wonderful.

50 or so!–What a sight that must have been. I still appreciate that I live in a state that has such amazing birds. mags

Hamlet

September 7, 2000

Often times we take things for granted.

Dad used to quote: ” A remarkable bird is the pelican/He holds more in his beak than his belly-can!/ He stores in his beak/enough food for a week/ And I don’t see how-in-the-hell-he-can!” Gypsy Song

i look to the sky often…i see two birds in flight..keeping pace..and changing pace…and i wish i were one of them sometimes…

adrift

September 9, 2000

Yes, the magic of flight! It is beauty beyond compare, and you describe it so well. You really see what is around you through appreciative eyes. That is what makes the difference. *smile*

Wonderful description, as usual. Thanks for showing me, a Left-Coaster, the East Coast so clearly.

Oh wow you do have a fan club..Thanks for this entry- takes me back to CORTEZ.Feels nice to be in such good company here!

HarpHill (2)

September 23, 2000

I dont think I have ever seen a pelican, but I`d like to. Blue Jays this morning are quiet after a long series of night showers as are the cardinals.

Edelweis

April 22, 2002

This poem is so beautiful! I now can imagine how these birds look like. Remember, I saw them when I went to see this movie some time ago, “travelling birds”. I loved the pelicans very much. And yes…their silence is so strange! When I followed them on their flight (in the movie) I thouhgt their appearence is very special. They look like so very friendly birds. I think they like us too. Take ca

Looking up

December 20, 2005

What pelican pics? BOO-HOO, and I would love to see them.