I’m out of town and am having blog withdrawals, so I’ve snuck away for a minute. I will have limited access to a computer until next week, but will be back with another pelican installment. I am looking forward to enjoying this week’s IATB as well!

If all goes as planned while I’m away, I’ll be ready to share a face-to-face interview with the founder of Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation when I return!

Happy football Thanksgiving!

The Birder’s Lounge ID Challenge! contest for October, 2008 has ended, and we have a winner!

First, I will reveal the correct answers and tell you a little bit about each of them.

Picture 1; Plano, TX

Picture 1 is better known as a Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula). Where’s the “ruby crown?” Hidden, of course. The females have no ruby crown at all! About the only time you will actually see the ruby crown is when the male is showing off for the ladies, or when he defends his territory. ¹

Read the rest of this entry »

Just a quick reminder that today is the last day to submit your answers for the October, 2008 ID Challenge! contest. To give it a go, click here. For full contest rules, visit the ID Challenge! page, or click here. Good Luck and have fun!

This young Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) was intently staring into the brush when my parents and I came upon it. My parents have been trying to get me to go for a walk in their neighborhood park for quite some time. I’m always going here or there, looking for birds and other wildlife in parks, sanctuaries, and refuges. To be honest, I wasn’t expecting to be impressed with the birding – but I was. Read the rest of this entry »

Have you ever spent a few hours watching a flock of pelicans? I was fortunate enough to do just that recently, and want to share some of the really fun and surprising things I saw.

Playing “twister.” Read the rest of this entry »

I don’t know much about gulls, but I’ve learned a thing or two lately. They are handsome in flight, often soaring with wings outstretched. They can be seen just about anywhere in North America at some point during the year. You know what else? They are bullies and thieves! Read the rest of this entry »

Right? A pelican is probably one of the most widely recognized birds in the world. They are huge birds, with incredibly long bills and an expandable pouch. When they fly, they soar – and it is an awesome sight. These pelicans seemed so content. They were not rushed or hurried, nor stressed or bothered. They seemed to be enjoying a beautiful day with the fine company of others in their flock. Look – their necks are curled at angles that make a heart shape with their heads. I love stuff like this. Read the rest of this entry »

These Rock Pigeons (Columba livia) are not native to North America, but they have been around for close to 400 years.¹

These birds are incredibly common in urban areas, and are probably considered pests by some. I think they are beautiful – look at the colors! Read the rest of this entry »

I am so excited to announce a series on American White Pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos)! As you can probably tell from the Birder’s Lounge logo, I am pretty sweet on these magnificent birds. I saw my first “real-live” pelican on February 25, 2005. (No, I didn’t remember the date -  I had to look back at my pictures.)

As I have mentioned before, I actually credit squirrels with leading me into my love of birds. I credit my first sight of a flock of pelicans as the awe-inspiring clincher to my bird-lovingness . Have you ever seen a pelican in flight? Awesome! Huge! I’m talking, 9-foot wingspan huge.

Something else neat…this is my 100th post! How very fitting that it should be about pelicans. I didn’t even plan it that way!

I will be sharing lots of pictures and information about American White Pelicans in the coming weeks. Before you know it, you’ll adore them as much as I do!