My neighborhood walk always has a common destination – the landing on the Intracoastal Waterway. It is my window to Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge – the world of creeks and salt marsh, and Bull Island in the distance. Wildlife inhabits this world, on and below the waters, on shell rakes and mudflats, and in the air.
Across from the landing and the adjacent impoundment, a large flagpole stands on a neighbor’s property, a prominent telltale for the wind. On this day the flag was absent, and the pole’s finial was an eagle surveying the area. I planned to do the same from the end of the fixed pier.
The shell rake and mudflat on the east side of the Waterway is often a place of birds. My first glance came up with an empty flat, but a second glance toward the north found a large white gathering – several dozen white pelicans in a clump, as white as a fresh snowfall. This species of pelican is quite social and gregarious, and this group was in quite a huddle. What a sight!
Back in 2014, I took a photo of a number of birds at Cowpen Point on Cape Island, and saw that a white pelican was preening in the midst of brown pelicans.
The last white pelicans I had seen were at the Yawkey Wildlife Center in December. Our group walked along a large impoundment on Cat Island. On the other side of this pond several large white birds floated, providing the first white pelican sighting for several in our group. Wading birds and migratory waterfowl shared the waters. A line of white pelicans flew to our east, and then a pair of mature bald eagles flying close to us landed in a nearby tree. The youngest member of our group spotted more white pelicans flying our way, and they passed almost directly overhead, displaying their impressive wing span (up to nine feet!) and black flight feathers.
At Yawkey I was equipped with camera and binoculars, but had neither on this January day at the landing. Still, the view of this gathering was spectacular, and I called my friend Brantley who lives on the ICW across from the entrance to Venning Creek where the pelicans gathered. He is one of a circle of friends with whom I share these moments of awe. I knew he had a spotting scope in his living room with a view out to the pelicans. His count through his scope totaled twenty-five.
As we talked, about half of the group started swimming off in a line toward the north along the marsh. After our call had ended, the split-off group continued to stretch out, extending the moments of awe. After some time they turned and swam toward the mainland side of the Waterway. The group still gathered on the mud flat took off in flight and joined the others.
I had no photo of the pelican gathering. From my perspective I could no longer see them, and left to walk home. What I did not leave were the images and memory of that encounter.
Thanks for the wonderful words and images, Bob! (and are those Royal Terns?). The only time I’ve ever seen white pelicans was at Yellowstone. I appreciate your sharing — and my wife and I are appreciating your book! —B
Bill, you win the award for first commenter on this post. Yes, royals. And thanks for reading my book! Hope you are well. Making my annual hiking trip to the Smokies in May.
I LOVE these pelicans! There is a big roost behind Dewees where they often gather, and sometimes we see them feeding in that curious ballet! I went down a crazy rabbit hole one day to find this quote from JJ Audubon:
My friend JOHN BACHMAN, in a note to me, says that “this bird is now more rare on our coast than it was thirty years ago; for I have heard it stated that it formerly bred on the sand banks of our Bird Islands. I saw a flock on the Bird Banks off Bull’s Island, on the 1st day of July, 1814, when I procured two full-plumaged old birds, and was under the impression that they had laid eggs on one of those banks, but the latter had the day previous to my visit been overflowed by a spring tide, accompanied with heavy wind.”
OK, Judy, I followed you down that white pelican rabbit hole in Sprunt and Chamberlain’s South Carolina Bird Life. First copyright in 1949, and they state it is “rarely seen in SC”. How things can change. We are so fortunate to have them around.
And thanks to the link to your white pelican blog post. Readers should check this out, and see several fine photos of white pelican gatherings.
Memories can be so much more valuable than photos. Thank you for sharing your day.
So many fine memories in the neighborhood, but the landing is quite a place.
Greetings Bob, this will go down as one if my favorite posts!! WHY?? Because it illustrates the value of observations that we can all make, every day, anywhere, any time. The beauty and joy of nature is everywhere … even in cities. It is a reminder to remember TO LOOK as we go about our daily lives. Bright,uplifting moments are there to be seen and enjoyed.
Ginny we are still singing the same song
xoxoxoxo 😉 and hugs to family. Hugs to all!
Thanks to Ginny and Michael, and you Bob, we get to sing along.
Love this low country coast and all the creatures that call it home.
Thanks for the reminder.
Thanks Dana, and I have to remind myself too.
Thank you!