Today I took a hike at Snail Lake in Shoreview. I didn’t know about the park surrounding the lake until I was laid off and one of my layoff buddies took me there. Wow, I’m glad I know now and wish I had known sooner. There is an extensive system of trails going through fields and wetlands with abundant bird life.
While I was out there, I looked up and saw a large group of about 50-60 white pelicans circling overhead. If you’ve never seen white pelicans fly before, you are missing out. They are massive birds, but somehow manage to float silently like dandelion fluff on the breeze. It’s the most amazing and majestic sight to see them, especially in such a large group.
I had plenty of oppotunity to see them, too, as they seemed to be circling the area the entire time I was there. Once, they were so low and close that I could see their eyes without my binoculars, and I sorely regretted the decision to not bring my camera with me. Another time, a pair passed over my head only about 40 feet up.
Anyway, I’m thinking they must be nesting out in that area, so I’ll have to take my camera and go back again soon. Perhaps I’ll get a good shot, although the shot I missed would have been especially lovely because of the way the clouds were today. Oh well. I went out there to spend some time being instead of doing, and part of that meant not hauling a camera and simply enjoying life. Which I did. Especially because of the gift of white pelicans.
The first time I saw pelicans on the river near where I live, I couldn’t believe it. I had the sense that they were more southerly birds. We get massive flocks around here periodically.
Yeah, my reaction was the same. I first saw them at Rice Lake State Park near Owatanna many years ago, and I thought I was seeing things!
I went back to the park today, but no pelicans. I did see a bald eagle, a bluebird, great egrets, many other species of birds, and deer. So I guess those pelicans truly were a gift yesterday!
I didn’t know we had pelicans either. Sounds like a neat place to see some wildlife though. I’ll have to check that out one of these days.
It’s definitely worth going!