Thursday, May 10, 2018

Pelicans!


Design - "Belli...can"
Chart - "August"
Designer - The Cricket Collection
Fabric - 30 count R & R "Morning Fog" linen
Fibers - DMC - 2 strands over 2 threads
Started - 21 May 2015
Completed - 13 June 2015

I had to feature this finish from 2015, because he is a darling pelican...
and because...

THIS!

As I was sitting outside Monday morning, I saw a group of birds approaching from the south.  At first I thought it was a flock of geese, but then realized they were flying much too slowly.

I ran back inside for binoculars and discovered it was a group of 14 White Pelicans soaring overhead.

White Pelicans winter here on the Oregon Coast and Willamette Valley and I've seen them several times including just west of Eugene.

But I certainly never thought I'd see them while sitting in my backyard!

They were very graceful flyers - gliding and rarely flapping their wings. 

These are 2 immature birds - note their straight bills.

Can you figure out what distinguishes a mature pelican?

Breeding-aged birds have a large bump on their bill like the bird on the right.

The birds played in the thermals for five minutes or so before slowly moving off to the east.  What a treat!

7 comments:

  1. Wow, what terrific shots of the pelicans, Beth! They look very graceful in your pictures. Nice bird stitch!

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  2. What a sight that must have been, Beth! And how interesting about the bump on the mature pelican's beak :)

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  3. How cool! I’ve never seen a flock of pelicans like that!

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  4. Wow lovely shots. When we were in Nevis in November I got some great shots of pelicans diving for fish. Have a good weekend nearly there, Diane

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  5. I would have to say you were extremely lucky to see those birds while sitting in your backyard!!How wonderful for a birder like you! That's a very cute stitched pelican too. I should do that one for my sister she has a pelican collection.

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Thank you all. I appreciate that you've read my blog and are taking the time to comment.