I spotted a group of white pelicans swimming not far from the shore, and found a flat rock near the water’s edge to sit and watch the graceful swimmers. They seemed to glide effortlessly in the water.

I was impressed by one expert fisher as it shimmied along the surface of the lake, using its beak and the gular pouch attached to its jaw to catch and scoop up food like a net.  Then it tilted its head down to drain the water from the pouch, and back to swallow the catch.

Another pelican, abruptly disturbed from its afternoon nap where it huddled on a crowded log, let out a lazy yawn.

I enjoyed watching the pelicans play a game of “tag” as one circled around a log lined with other pelicans.  The pelican that was tagged was obliged to find a new spot to sit, and didn’t appear too happy about it.  Instead of making noise, the pelicans communicated through wing flapping and bill snapping.

Watching these lovely birds was relaxing, fascinating, and entertaining, all at the same time.

“There is a way that nature speaks … Most of the time we are simply not patient enough, quiet enough, to pay attention to the story.”  ~Linda Hogan