Eyes and Flyers

If it was up to me (and I guess it really is)...I would post my favorite bird everyday that I'm in Florida. That would be the pelican. Plus...if the name wasn't taken...I might even change my name from outdoorguy to pelicanguy for 6 weeks. I like the bird that much.

I think it's the goofball factor. I spotted one on a high pole on an almost deserted dock. I readied my camera and the focal length. Pushed the lens to the max. 20 feet, 15 feet. He winged up, and I thought I had lost him. I turned away, and made sure I wasn't making eye contact. He stayed, and winged down.

Closed the gap to 10 feet, and snapped a few. 8 feet, 7 feet, 6 feet. That's where the goofball part took over. He glanced down at me with the beak, and the eyes. How can you not smile? He turned to give me his best profile, showing off the yellow to its fullest. What a boid...What a boid!!

Then...the question has to be asked. How can such a goofball turn into such a graceful glider? To see the pelican in the air is like seeing poetry in motion. But...just about the time that you are transfixed by the glide...he makes that head first jump-back-jack dive into the water. Back to goofy.

Just before I went home for dinner (Lisas pot roast-yum), I got to see the best eye in the bird world. The cormorant. Between the color and the dots surrounding the eye...breath-taking.

Winding down our Florida time. I think we'll get rolling on Wed. afternoon. GO NORTH YOUNG MAN! Lisa is not ready, but I'm about ready to go home. As Dorothy said..."There's no place like home! There's no place like home!" I miss my kids, my family, my doggies, and especially the little Merrick Man (grandson.)

Click on enlarge please for a better look at the best eye in the bird world. Just my opinion.

Using Dorothy again...to my favorite bird..."Mr. Pelican...I think I'll miss you the most of all." I wish the Wizard would send a few to Michigan.